PRC/INDIA: MFA SAYS NO CHANGE IN POSITION ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 024541

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/15/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV IN CE PK CH
SUBJECT: PRC/INDIA: MFA SAYS NO CHANGE IN POSITION ON
U.S.-INDIA NUCLEAR COOPERATION AGREEMENT

REF: A. SAP20061214377002 14 DEC 06

B. BEIJING 05272

Classified By: Political External Unit Chief Edgard Kagan Reasons 1.4 (
b/d).


1. (C) PRC views on the US)India civil nuclear agreement
have not changed, MFA Arms Control and Disarmament Department
Nuclear Division Deputy Director Xia Tian said when asked
about Ref A report suggesting that China's MFA Spokesperson
had characterized the agreement as "beneficial." Xia told
poloff on December 14 that China supports peaceful nuclear
cooperation between states provided that it is conducted in
accordance with certain principles and upholds international
obligations. Nuclear cooperation, he added, must be
conducive to NPT safeguards. In his view, Beijing's position
is "balanced." Xia said that he has not seen Ref A article
and emphasized that the MFA spokesperson has consistently
adhered to PRC policy. Contacts at the Indian Embassy in
Beijing stated that China has not informed them of any change
in its position regarding the nuclear agreement and noted
that they had not seen Ref A article.


2. (C) MFA Asian Affairs Department's Indian Desk concurred
with Xia's assessment, noting that the MFA Spokesperson
submitted a written answer to the Indian press inquiry. MFA
Asian Affairs Deputy Director Yang Xin provided the MFA
Spokesperson's written response to the Indian press to
poloff:

Begin informal translation:

Regarding the fields of civilian nuclear cooperation, no
matter whether it is between two countries or many, all must
uphold international standards and the goals and principles
of nonproliferation. During Hu Jintao's visit, China and
India announced a nuclear cooperation agreement, which will
adhere to international principles. China is paying close
attention to the U.S.-India nuclear cooperation agreement law
that the U.S. Congress passed at the end of last week. We
believe that each country's cooperation in the development of
peaceful uses of nuclear technology should promote the
principles and effectiveness of international
nonproliferation controls.

End informal translation.


3. (C) Xia stated that some Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)
countries have expressed concerns with the United
States-India Agreement. When pushed, Xia acknowledged that
China falls into this camp but is still evaluating the
recently approved U.S. law and is considering all positions.
Xia's statements are consistent with the PRC position
espoused in early March 2006 (Ref B) that Beijing shares the
concerns of other NSG members that the U.S.-India Agreement
could be seen as giving de facto Nuclear Weapon State status
to India and could "unravel the NSG" as countries seek
special exemption from the basic requirements of the
international nonproliferation regime.
Randt