PMO MINISTER CITES DOMESTIC POLITICS IN PSI DEBATE

C O N F I D E N T I A L NEW DELHI 009345 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/02/2015 TAGS: PREL ETTC MOPS IN PSI SUBJECT: PMO MINISTER CITES DOMESTIC POLITICS IN PSI DEBATE Classified By: Ambassador David Mulford for Reasons 1.4 (B, D) ¶1. (C) The Ambassador used a December 9 meeting with Prithviraj Chavan, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, to press for early presentation of India's plan for separation of its civilian and military nuclear facilities and to continue our advocacy of Indian participation in the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). Chavan's presentation on the July 18 understandings tracked closely with what we have heard from the Foreign Ministry, with the Minister recalling the PM's emphasis in Parliament on the economic benefits that India would derive from implementing its side of the deal. ¶2. (C) On PSI, Chavan's comments were more candid than we have heard from others, with a frank admission that the GOI was wary of moving too fast due to criticism from its political allies that the UPA government is growing overly close to the US. Chavan noted that the GOI had considered endorsement of the PSI principles during the July 18 summit, but decided to focus its energy on the nuclear understanding, which itself was harshly criticized by Communist parties that cast it as a concession to American foreign policy. "We can't have too many things on the agenda," the Minister cautioned, while adding that it would be easier to move ahead as the GOI is able to cite concrete benefits from the partnership with America. With elections coming up in Kerala and West Bengal, he added, "you have to give us some space." ¶3. (C) The Ambassador accepted Chavan's political calculus, while underlining that Indian endorsement of PSI would be helpful with those members of Congress who are asking how the July 18 understandings will strengthen the global non-proliferation system. ¶4. (C) Comment: We will continue to push on this issue in the context of the President's visit to India, while bearing in mind the domestic political considerations that Chavan acknowledged. On the President's trip, Chavan commented that the government would prefer to avoid events in states controlled by opposition parties, and in this context expressed a strong preference for a visit to Hyderabad rather than some other city in South India not controlled by Congress. End Comment ¶4. (U) Visit New Delhi's Classified Website: (http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/sa/newdelhi/) MULFORD