INDIAN NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR VISITS JAPAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 006468

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/31/2016
TAGS: PREL ECON IN JA
SUBJECT: INDIAN NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR VISITS JAPAN

REF: A. NEW DELHI 6770


B. TOKYO 5574

Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer for reasons 1.4(b),(d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: The primary purpose of Indian National
Security Advisor M.K. Narayanan's visit to Tokyo October
22-25, was to lay the ground work for Prime Minister Singh's
upcoming official visit, currently scheduled to take place in
mid-December. During his visit, Narayanan was received by a
number of high-ranking officials, including Prime Minister
Abe and Foreign Minister Aso. In addition to advancing his
Prime Minister's visit, Narayanan expressed an interest in
establishing a strategic dialogue with Tokyo at the National
Security Advisor level, requested support for the U.S.-India
nuclear deal, and discussed U.N. Security Council reforms. In
response to each of these, the Japanese (or at least MOFA)
are uncertain about who Narayanan's counterpart would be,
said that Japan would take a "wait and see" approach to the
U.S.-India nuclear deal, and agreed to cooperate on reform
issues, as well as others involving the Security Council,
including Iraq, Iran, the rise of China, terrorism, and
disaster management. END SUMMARY.

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ADVANCING PRIME MINISTER SINGH'S OFFICIAL VISIT
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2. (C) Deputy Director Jun Hasebe of MOFA's Southwest Asia
Division October 30 provided Embassy Tokyo Political Officer
with a readout of Indian National Security Advisor
Narayanan's October 22-25 visit to Tokyo. According to
Hasebe, the major purpose of the visit was to advance Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh's planned official visit in December.
Hasebe claimed he was unable to officially confirm the dates
of the visit but said it would happen between December 10 and

20. (NOTE: According to reftel A, Indian officials have
already informed Embassy New Delhi that the visit is set to
begin on December 14. END NOTE.) During the visit, Singh
will meet with Prime Minister Abe, be feted at a banquet at
the Kantei (Prime Minister's official residence and office),
and will also call on the Emperor.


3. (C) During Narayanan's visit he met with Prime Minister
Abe, Foreign Minister Aso, Chief Cabinet Secretary Shiozaki,
National Security Advisor Koike, Joint Defense Agency
Director Kyuma, and Minister of Land, Infrastructure, and
Transport Fuyushiba. According to Hasebe the meetings went
well, particularly the one with Prime Minister Abe, who is
reportedly very interested in Indian history and affairs and
who feels close to the Indian nation and people.


4. (C) Hasebe stated that both governments are now in the
process of preparing the statements and joint documents to be
issued at the conclusion of Singh's visit. It is likely that
an Economic Partnership Agreement will be announced as well
as cooperation agreements in the energy and tourism fields.
The Joint Statement to be issued will likely include four
sections addressing political and security issues, economic
issues, people to people issues such as exchanges, and
regional and international issues which would include
reference to UN Security Council Reform and to North Korea.

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STRIVING FOR ENHANCED COOPERATION
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5. (C) Narayanan arrived with authority to discuss a broad
range of security and political issues but had three main
topics he wished to explore. The first was a suggestion that
a bilateral strategic dialogue at the National Security
Advisor level be established, similar to the Foreign Minister
level dialogue agreed upon in January 2006. Hasebe said the
Japanese response to this proposal was equivocal as it is not
clear to them who would be Narayanan's counterpart. While
Prime Minister Abe has established the post of advisor for
National Security Affairs and has appointed Yuriko Koike to
the position, it is still unclear exactly what the scope of
her responsibilities and duties will be. (NOTE: It is
possible that Hasebe's comments reflect MOFA bias, as many in
the Ministry are uncomfortable with the creation of Koike's
position and wonder how it will effect the influence of the
foreign policy bureaucrats. END NOTE.)


6. (C) The second topic Narayanan raised was a request for
Japan's support of India's nuclear agreement with the U.S.
Again, Tokyo's response was noncommittal. Hasebe said that
Narayanan was told Japan appreciates the strategic importance
of India and the importance of energy issues, but that Japan,
given it's history at the end of World War II, remains very
sensitive to the topic of nuclear energy if weapons
capabilities also exist. As a result, many Diet members are
opposed to the U.S.-India agreement. Accordingly, at this
point in time, Japan's approach to this issue is to take a
"wait and see" stance.


7. (C) Finally, said Hasebe, the topic of U.N. Security
Council reform was discussed, with the two sides agreeing to
cooperate closely. Other topics touched upon and that will
be more fully explored prior to and during Singh's visit
included Iran, Iraq, the rise of China, terrorism, maritime
security, and disaster management and prevention. Hasebe
said Japan is more than willing to discuss the widest
possible range of subjects with India as this can only serve
to enhance the bilateral relationship.

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COMMENT
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8. (C) Japan is clearly looking forward to Prime Minister
Singh's visit and is eager to enhance its growing
relationship with India, both politically and economically
(see reftel B). It is likely that Prime Minister Abe is
anxious to develop a mutually beneficial personal
relationship with Singh in the hopes of jump-starting what,
to date, has been a rather sluggish relationship.
SCHIEFFER