INDIA: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON TRANSIT OF UNSCR

C O N F I D E N T I A L NEW DELHI 002201 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/11/2012 TAGS: KNNP PARM IR IN SUBJECT: INDIA: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON TRANSIT OF UNSCR DESIGNATED IRANIANS REF: STATE 61222 Classified By: PolCouns Ted Osius for Reasons 1.4 (B, D) ¶1. (C) PolCouns delivered reftel demarche -- requesting stronger vigilance and restraint when considering travel of UNSCR designated Iranians -- to Ministry of External Affairs Joint Secretary (Americas) Gaitri Kumar. JS Kumar, who had been unaware of the Zolqadr incident described in reftel, took note of our points, stated India complies with all UN resolutions in regard to Iran, and offered to be "as helpful as possible" on the issue. She offered to share our points with other interested offices in MEA and the GOI ¶2. (C) Comment. We expect India will indeed comply with UNSCRs 1737 and 1747. However, at this time -- just days after the Indian Parliament broke down into chaos over reaction to a letter from seven U.S. Congresspeople criticizing India's relationship with Iran, a letter which critics claimed interfered with India's sovereignty -- it is unlikely the GOI will be as proactive as we would like in terms of searching aircraft or preventing the entry/transit of designated Iranians. End Comment. PYATT