INDIA WELCOMES FORMATION OF NEW IRAQI GOVERNMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L NEW DELHI 003546 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/22/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM PHUM EPET ENRG KISL IZ IN SUBJECT: INDIA WELCOMES FORMATION OF NEW IRAQI GOVERNMENT REF: STATE 81632 Classified By: PolCouns Geoff Pyatt, Reason 1.4 (B,D) ¶1. (U) In a welcome sign of leadership, India today issued a statement welcoming the formation of the new Iraqi government. See para 4 for complete text. ¶2. (C) PolCouns spoke May 22 to Indian Middle East envoy Ambassador Chinmaya Garekhan to deliver the points in Reftel. Garekhan said the GOI wishes the new PM "all the best" and that he, Garekhan, would like to learn more about the new Iraqi oil minister, Hussain al-Shahristani. Garekhan indicated that the GOI had invited al-Shahristani's predecessor to visit Delhi and suggested MEA would now like to revitalize that channel. D/PolCouns will also deliver reftel demarche at the working level in the Foreign Ministry on May 23. ¶3. (C) COMMENT: That India so quickly issued a warm statement of support for the new Iraqi government is not only a welcome endorsement for the Maliki government but also signifies that India recognizes that it has clear equities in Iraq -- including in the oil sector -- and that instability in Iraq also has a direct impact on India, with its 120 million Muslims, of whom 25 million are Shia. END COMMENT. ¶4. (U) BEGIN TEXT OF INDIAN STATEMENT: The Government of India welcomes the formation of a new Government in Iraq headed by Prime Minister Mr. Nouri K. Al-Maliki, which represents all sections of the Iraqi society. The Prime Minister has sent a message of congratulations to Prime Minister Al-Maliki wishing him success in carrying out his new responsibilities and wishing the people of Iraq success in their efforts to bring peace, prosperity and stability in Iraq. Prime Minister has conveyed that India looks forward to further strengthening the traditionally close and friendly relations betwen the two peoples and countries in all fields, and has reiterated India's willingness to continue its assistance in the reconstruction of Iraq and to cooperate with Iraq in areas of mutual interest. New Delhi, May 22, 2006. END QXT. ¶5. (U) Visit New Delhi's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/sa/newdelhi/ MULFORD