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

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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

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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