NEW INDIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER CALLS ON AMBASSADOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 000070 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/15/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM BG SUBJECT: NEW INDIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER CALLS ON AMBASSADOR Classified By: Ambassador Patricia A. Butenis; reason 1.4(d) ¶1. (C) India,s new High Commissioner Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty paid a courtesy call on the Ambassador on January ¶10. (He presents his credentials to the Government of Bangladesh on January 16.) The discussion covered the current POLITICAL crisis, the efforts of the international community to support a fully-participatory election, Awami League dynamics, and, most interestingly, the Bangladesh-India relationship. He said that, obviously, cross-border terrorisim was an immediate concern. The Ambassador shared her impression that Bangladesh and India have mirror images of grievances, of charges of lack of cooperation, and of lost opportunities. When we finally get to a post-election, new government, the United States is ready to promote increased cooperation between India and Bangladesh, especially in areas critical to regional stability. Chakravarty agreed and stressed that the Government of India was ready to work with whatever government the people of Bangladesh elected. He shared our assessment that the Caretaker Government had failed to establish the conditions for free and fair elections. ¶2. (C) Following the developments of January 11, including the resignation of the Chief Adviser, the Ambassador called the High Commissioner to compare notes. He shared New Delhi,s press guidance, which tracked closely with ours and the statements of other Missions. ¶3. (C) Chakravarty will be a valuable partner, we think, in keeping Bangladesh,s democracy on track. He gave the impression that he understands Bangladesh,s point of view on its RELATIONS with India (something his predecessor didn't always appear to),is rightly focused on terrorism, but also has a broader bilateral agenda. BUTENIS