INDIA PROPOSES RECIPROCAL VOTING FOR UN CERD

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 005180 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT PASS TO COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRACIES COLLECTIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/03/2017 TAGS: PHUM PREL UNGA IN SUBJECT: INDIA PROPOSES RECIPROCAL VOTING FOR UN CERD REF: SECSTATE 157655 Classified By: Acting POLCOUNS Atul Keshap for reasons 1.4 (b,d) ¶1. (U) This is an action message for IO/RHS and SCA - see para 4. ¶2. (U) PolCouns delivered reftel demarche to MEA Joint Secretary (Americas) Gaitri Kumar and Director (United SIPDIS Nations Economic and Social) Dinesh Patnaik on November 21, urging the GOI to support Pierre Richard Prosper as candidate for the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD). ¶3. (C) Kumar informed PolCouns December 1 that the GOI is nominating Dilip Lahiri for election to CERD, and its Embassy in Washington will be sending a diplomatic note to the Department seeking support. The GOI is asking for U.S. support of Lahiri's candidacy and suggests arranging for reciprocal support. Lahiri's CV follows below. ¶4. (C) ACTION REQUEST: Request guidance on how Post should respond to the GOI suggestion to reciprocally support their candidate Lahiri in exchange for GOI support of Mr. Prosper. -------------- DILIP LAHIRI'S CV: -------------- ¶5. (U) CV of Ambassador Dilip Lahiri Date and place of birth: July 9, 1945, New Delhi, India. Working languages: English, Spanish and French (passive) Current Position: Retired diplomat. Distinguished Fellow, Observer Research Foundation. Main Professional Activities: Ambassador to France 2004 - ¶2005. Ambassador to Spain 2001 -2004. Additional Secretary (International Organizations) Ministry of External Affairs (1998 - 2001) Dean, Foreign Service Institute (1997-1998) Head of Divisions dealing with the Asia - Pacific and later the Americas (1992 - 1997) Ambassador to Peru and Bolivia (1989 to 1992) Served in various capacities in the Govt. of India and Indian Missions in the US, Bangladesh, Philippines and Kenya (1967 - 1989) Educational Background: MA (Delhi University) Other main activities in the field relevant to the mandate of the treaty body concerned: Leader of the Indian delegation to the Rome conference establishing the International Criminal Court. Long experience of multilateral diplomacy in the UN, the Nonaligned Movement and the Commonwealth covering security and disarmament, international law, human rights and social issues, climate change and environment. Participated in several sessions of the UNGA and the erstwhile Commission on Human Rights. Representative of India in the Fourth Committee, the Special Committee against Apartheid and the Committee of ¶24. Supervised the preparation of India's national reports to the monitoring bodies of various UN human rights instruments. Participated in the process of amending domestic laws to conform to UN human rights instruments to which India became party. NEW DELHI 00005180 002 OF 002 Publications: Indian Foreign Policy: An agenda for the 21st century 1997 India and Spain : 2000 years of interaction (Spanish) 2002 Has delivered talks at international meetings and written articles for newspapers and journals on nuclear and security policy, climate change, the International Criminal Court etc. Contact: Dilip Lahiri A - 71 IFS Apartments, Mayur Vihar I New Delhi - 110091 Tel: 00 91 11 43024271 11 09 2007. MULFORD