Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08NEWDELHI2168
2008-08-08 09:52:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy New Delhi
Cable title:
INDIA CANCELS OVERFLIGHT PERMISSION FOR FLIGHT OF
how-toO 080952Z AUG 08 FM AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2952 INFO ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE AMEMBASSY BEIJING AMEMBASSY DHAKA AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD CIA WASHDC JOINT STAFF WASHDC NSC WASHDC
S E C R E T NEW DELHI 002168
NOFORN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/07/2018
TAGS: PREL PARM TSPL KNNP ETTC ENRG TRGY IN
SUBJECT: INDIA CANCELS OVERFLIGHT PERMISSION FOR FLIGHT OF
PROLIFERATION CONCERN
REF: A. STATE 84151
B. UNVIE 437
Classified By: Acting DCM George Deikun for Reasons 1.4 B and D
S E C R E T NEW DELHI 002168
NOFORN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/07/2018
TAGS: PREL PARM TSPL KNNP ETTC ENRG TRGY IN
SUBJECT: INDIA CANCELS OVERFLIGHT PERMISSION FOR FLIGHT OF
PROLIFERATION CONCERN
REF: A. STATE 84151
B. UNVIE 437
Classified By: Acting DCM George Deikun for Reasons 1.4 B and D
1. (S) The Charge d'Affaires delivered ref A demarche on
August 6 to Minister of State for External Affairs Anand
Sharma and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Joint Secretary
for the Americas Gaitri Kumar. Sharma noted the urgency of
the issue and the Indian government's obligation to comply
with UN Security Council Resolution 1718. Neither Sharma nor
Kumar was aware of the flight, but Kumar promised to forward
the non-paper to the appropriate agencies within the GOI.
MEA director for the Americas Vani Rao told PolOff on August
7 that the issue had been brought to the attention of
National Security Advisor M.K. Narayanan earlier that same
day, but she did not yet know what the response would be.
2. (SBU) A front-page article in the August 8 edition of The
Indian Express reported that on the afternoon of August 7
India withdrew permission for the North Korean plane to
overfly Indian airspace en route to Iran just before it could
take off from a stopover in Mandalay, Burma. The action was
reportedly taken in response to instructions from the Prime
Minister's Office.
3. (C) MEA director Rao confirmed the newspaper's account to
PolOff on August 8.
4. (C) COMMENT. It is encouraging that India responded
immediately and positively, which reflects the importance
India places on its formal nonproliferation commitments.
Indian officials also did not appreciate Iran's criticism of
India's safeguards agreement at the August 1 IAEA Board
meeting (ref B). This is a good news story in the context of
the remaining steps in the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear
Cooperation Initiative, in which India's nonproliferation
record is likely to be scrutinized. END COMMENT.
WHITE
NNNN
End Cable Text
NOFORN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/07/2018
TAGS: PREL PARM TSPL KNNP ETTC ENRG TRGY IN
SUBJECT: INDIA CANCELS OVERFLIGHT PERMISSION FOR FLIGHT OF
PROLIFERATION CONCERN
REF: A. STATE 84151
B. UNVIE 437
Classified By: Acting DCM George Deikun for Reasons 1.4 B and D
1. (S) The Charge d'Affaires delivered ref A demarche on
August 6 to Minister of State for External Affairs Anand
Sharma and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Joint Secretary
for the Americas Gaitri Kumar. Sharma noted the urgency of
the issue and the Indian government's obligation to comply
with UN Security Council Resolution 1718. Neither Sharma nor
Kumar was aware of the flight, but Kumar promised to forward
the non-paper to the appropriate agencies within the GOI.
MEA director for the Americas Vani Rao told PolOff on August
7 that the issue had been brought to the attention of
National Security Advisor M.K. Narayanan earlier that same
day, but she did not yet know what the response would be.
2. (SBU) A front-page article in the August 8 edition of The
Indian Express reported that on the afternoon of August 7
India withdrew permission for the North Korean plane to
overfly Indian airspace en route to Iran just before it could
take off from a stopover in Mandalay, Burma. The action was
reportedly taken in response to instructions from the Prime
Minister's Office.
3. (C) MEA director Rao confirmed the newspaper's account to
PolOff on August 8.
4. (C) COMMENT. It is encouraging that India responded
immediately and positively, which reflects the importance
India places on its formal nonproliferation commitments.
Indian officials also did not appreciate Iran's criticism of
India's safeguards agreement at the August 1 IAEA Board
meeting (ref B). This is a good news story in the context of
the remaining steps in the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear
Cooperation Initiative, in which India's nonproliferation
record is likely to be scrutinized. END COMMENT.
WHITE
NNNN
End Cable Text