Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05NEWDELHI9345
2005-12-12 12:56:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy New Delhi
Cable title:  

PMO MINISTER CITES DOMESTIC POLITICS IN PSI DEBATE

Tags:  PREL ETTC MOPS IN PSI 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
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)

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