INDIA OPEN TO GPOI IN GENERAL; NOT READY FOR FULL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 007126 SIPDIS C O R R E C T E D C O P Y - CLASSIFICATION RELEASABLE RELEASABLE TO AUSTRALIA SIPDIS DEPT FOR PM/PPA RACHEL FEATHERSTONE AND SCA/RA LTC FRED MILLER E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/16/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR MOPS KDEM IN SUBJECT: INDIA OPEN TO GPOI IN GENERAL; NOT READY FOR FULL GPOI PARTNERSHIP REF: STATE 169184 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Geoffrey Pyatt for Reasons 1.4 (B, D) ¶1. (C) Summary. In response to reftel demarche conveying U.S. interest in a partnership with India on the Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI),on October 12 the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Joint Secretary for United Nations-Political (UNP),Sanjiv Arora, told Poloff and visiting PACOM J7 Theater Security Cooperation Chief Naj Sweeney that the GOI is not interested in becoming a formal GPOI partner at this time, but is willing to consider, on a case-by-case basis, any specific proposals for GPOI collaboration put forth by the USG. Arora reiterated this openness to ad hoc cooperation in an October 13 conversation with Charge. Action requests for SCA and PM in paragraph 4. End Summary. No to Formal Participation; Yes to Considering Specific Programs -------------- ¶2. (C) Saying India's participation in peacekeeping continues to be under the overarching framework of the UN flag, Arora -- the GOI's experienced and knowledgeable lead on peacekeeping operations -- stated, "Frankly, we don't envisage at this stage formalization of an agreement." However, Arora noted the excellent state of U.S.-India relations, and quickly followed by saying the GOI will be open to considering, on a case-by-case basis, specific programs which the U.S. would propose in the future. "When and as you have formal proposals, such as with Khan Quest, let us know and we'll consider them," Arora said, adding that in addition to taking part in Khan Quest (a recent multilateral exercise in Mongolia),India has been open to cooperating on PACOM multinational peacekeeping exercises, as well as participating in GPOI-related activities such as the Center of Excellence for Stability Police Units (COESPU). When pressed, Arora said India would consider the full range of possible proposals, to include sending trainers to events outside India, possibly hosting an event in India, and allowing foreign nationals to come to India's center for peacekeeping operations for training. Comment and Recommendations -------------- ¶3. (C) The GOI response signals a willingness to consider specific proposals in the future, but unwilling to risk domestic political criticism for aligning with the U.S. by becoming a full GPOI signatory. Post believes the GOI will respond favorably to proposals which fall under standard UNPKO procedures and allow India some measure of control in planning. Also, in terms of control, Post believes the GOI may be reluctant to accept GPOI funding, and we should test NEW DELHI 00007126 002 OF 002 the waters informally before ever offering GPOI monies for this. ¶4. (C) We must keep the momentum going here on GPOI. India has the potential to be a significant partner in training global peacekeepers and more is possible, but progress will need to be incremental rather than all-at-once. We need to leverage upcoming events to market GPOI to the broader GOI establishment. Specifically, we should: -- argue for GPOI to be an agenda item in the upcoming Defense Policy Group (DPG),and use the DPG to sell the idea of greater Indian involvement in GPOI to senior GOI policymakers; -- include GPOI briefings in the regular peacekeeping operations joint working group (which Arora heads for India); -- develop -- within the next 60 days -- several specific proposals for Indian participation in GPOI, and be flexible if/when the GOI suggests modifications to our proposals; -- have G8 partners approach the GOI and express their support for GPOI; -- provide, as Arora requested, the GOI with a list of other GPOI participating countries, as well as with a sample 505 Agreement and more details of the legalities surrounding GPOI partnership; -- provide testimonials on the benefits of GPOI participation from countries which have been involved in GPOI exercises; -- when contacting the GOI, de-emphasize offers of USG money to facilitate programs, emphasize India's significant history as a global leader in PKOs, and appeal to its opportunity to shape for itself a greater leadership role through GPOI; and -- as India participates in more and more GPOI programs in the future, keep open the possibility of a true partnership, as outlined in reftel, down the road. PYATT