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. -------------- -- ADVANCING PRIME MINISTER SINGH'S OFFICIAL VISIT -------------- -- ¶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. -------------- STRIVING FOR ENHANCED COOPERATION -------------- ¶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. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶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