Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08NEWDELHI2175
2008-08-08 11:39:00
SECRET
Embassy New Delhi
Cable title:
SCO SUMMIT DEMARCHE: INDIA SEES ITSELF MERELY AS
how-toVZCZCXRO6491 OO RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHLH RUEHPW DE RUEHNE #2175 2211139 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 081139Z AUG 08 FM AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2969 INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE RUEHAH/AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT 0891 RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ASTANA 1021 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 6979 RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK 0947 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 5161 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 2752 RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON 1263 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 5735 RUEHUM/AMEMBASSY ULAANBAATAR 0122 RUEHDE/AMCONSUL DUBAI 0725
S E C R E T NEW DELHI 002175
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/08/2018
TAGS: MARR MOPS PGOV PREL AFIN IN
SUBJECT: SCO SUMMIT DEMARCHE: INDIA SEES ITSELF MERELY AS
OBSERVER
REF: STATE 82513
Classified By: Pol-Mil Officer Joel Ehrendreich for Reasons 1.4 (B, D)
S E C R E T NEW DELHI 002175
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/08/2018
TAGS: MARR MOPS PGOV PREL AFIN IN
SUBJECT: SCO SUMMIT DEMARCHE: INDIA SEES ITSELF MERELY AS
OBSERVER
REF: STATE 82513
Classified By: Pol-Mil Officer Joel Ehrendreich for Reasons 1.4 (B, D)
1. (S) In response to reftel demarche, PolMilOff delivered
talking points to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)
Americas Division Director Vani Rao and Eurasia Director
Sandeep Arya. On August 8 Arya replied that the Indian
government noted our points and shared our broader goals,
particularly the commitment to Afghanistan's reconstruction.
It did not believe, however, that it was in a position to be
of much influence on the issue of military access in Central
Asia, and in particular Manas Air Base. As an SCO observer,
Arya explained, India is not a participant in meetings where
such decisions would be made and is not party to discussions
such as on the wording of joint statements. He noted that
India usually doesn't even see SCO joint statements prior to
release to the general public.
2. (C) Arya reported India has yet to decide what specific
delegation it intended to send to Dushanbe, but noted that in
the past India has been represented at the Cabinet Minister
level and confirmed it would be at the same level again this
year. In terms of goals, Arya reiterated that observers hold
very little influence outside of their plenary session
remarks, and suggested that India's intent is primarily to
stay close to developments taking place in the organization.
WHITE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/08/2018
TAGS: MARR MOPS PGOV PREL AFIN IN
SUBJECT: SCO SUMMIT DEMARCHE: INDIA SEES ITSELF MERELY AS
OBSERVER
REF: STATE 82513
Classified By: Pol-Mil Officer Joel Ehrendreich for Reasons 1.4 (B, D)
1. (S) In response to reftel demarche, PolMilOff delivered
talking points to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)
Americas Division Director Vani Rao and Eurasia Director
Sandeep Arya. On August 8 Arya replied that the Indian
government noted our points and shared our broader goals,
particularly the commitment to Afghanistan's reconstruction.
It did not believe, however, that it was in a position to be
of much influence on the issue of military access in Central
Asia, and in particular Manas Air Base. As an SCO observer,
Arya explained, India is not a participant in meetings where
such decisions would be made and is not party to discussions
such as on the wording of joint statements. He noted that
India usually doesn't even see SCO joint statements prior to
release to the general public.
2. (C) Arya reported India has yet to decide what specific
delegation it intended to send to Dushanbe, but noted that in
the past India has been represented at the Cabinet Minister
level and confirmed it would be at the same level again this
year. In terms of goals, Arya reiterated that observers hold
very little influence outside of their plenary session
remarks, and suggested that India's intent is primarily to
stay close to developments taking place in the organization.
WHITE