INDIA WILL URGE IRAN TO COOPERATE WITH THE EU3

S E C R E T NEW DELHI 008681 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/15/2015 TAGS: PGOV PREL MNUC PARM IN IR SUBJECT: INDIA WILL URGE IRAN TO COOPERATE WITH THE EU3 DURING THE IRANIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER'S VISIT Classified By: Charge Robert Blake, Jr., for Reasons 1.4 (B, D) ¶1. Charge took the opportunity presented by the scheduled meeting between Special Advisor for UN Reform Shirin Tahir-Kheli and Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran to express concern to Saran about the visit on November 17 of Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mehdi Safari. The Charge noted that the EU3 negotiations with Iran are at a particularly delicate state, and therefore it is important that India maintain private and public pressure on Iran to accept the deal that is on the table. ¶2. Saran confirmed press reports that Safari is indeed coming to Delhi on November 17 for a two day visit to meet with MEA officials, including Secretary Rajiv Sikri. He said the GOI does not plan to issue a detailed press statement at the conclusion of the visit. With respect to India's private message, Saran noted that India would tell Iran that it should avoid isolation, that the way forward is for both sides to show flexibility, and that India hopes Iran will take the advice of the EU3 and its other friends. MULFORD