INDIAN, PAKISTANI NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISORS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 002739

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/17/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER PK IN
SUBJECT: INDIAN, PAKISTANI NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISORS
DISCUSS TERRORISM, CEASEFIRE VIOLATIONS

Classified By: A/DCM John Davison for Reasons 1.4 (B, D)


1. (C) Summary. In their first meeting together as
counQrparts, Indian National Security Advisor M.K. Narayanan
and Pakistani National Security Advisor Mahmud Ali Durrani:

-- explored ways to revive the Indo-Pak joint anti-terror
mechanism;
-- discussed allegations of continuing ceasefire violations
along the Line of Control;
-- talked about the bombing of India's embassy in Kabul, with
Durrani categorically denying any involvement by Pakistan's
Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI); and
-- expressed a desire for closer relations and further
similar discussions.

During his visit to India, Durrani also met with Prime
Minister Singh, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee
and Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon, in talks also
centered on terrorism but also including trade, water sharing
rights, and the issue of Kashmir. End Summary.

Opening of a New Channel for Dialogue
--------------


2. (C) National Security Advisor, M.K. Narayanan and his
Pakistani counterpart, Mahmud Ali Durrani, met in New Delhi
October 13-14 for talks centered on counter-terrorism,
ceasefire violations along the Line of Control, Kashmir,
Afghanistan, water sharing and cross-border trade. Durrani's
visit was at the initiative and invitation of Narayanan;
while the two had known each other for years, including as
interlocutors in Track II settings, it was their first
meeting as National Security Advisors. Indian and Pakistani
officials confirmed to Poloffs what had been reported widely
in the press, that the atmosphere for the talks was positive
and cordial, even as the two exchanged candid views on some
very sensitive issues, such as the bombing of India's embassy
in Kabul in July.

"No. No. No." To ISI Role in Kabul Bombing
--------------


3. (C) The main focus of the meetings, according to both
Rudrendra Pandon, Director in the Prime Minister's Office,
and Irfan Ahmed, First Secretary at the Pakistani Embassy in
New Delhi, was to discuss terrorism issues affecting the two
countries with a goal of reinvigorating the Joint
Anti-Terrorism Mechanism (JATM) begun in 2006 but relatively
inactive recently. While public statements did not
explicitly mention the JATM, and contacts in Narayanan's
office were especially tight-lipped about the meetings,
media, such as the Hindustan Times, reported the JATM will
convene again late in October. Narayanan reportedly
confronted Durrani with India's case that ISI had a role in
the Kabul bombing on July 7, with Durrani denying any GOP
involvement. Later, following his meeting with Foreign
Minister Mukherjee, Durrani, responding to questions from the
media, emphatically denied ISI had been involved: "No. No.
No. Incorrect." was his reply.

Ceasefire Talks, Then an Agreement to Refrain
--------------


4. (C) Narayanan also pressed Durrani on cross-border
infiltrations and ceasefire violations along the Line of
Control, according to press reports, the latter of which, by
India's count, had numbered over 30 in the past couple
months. While neither Pakistani nor Indian contacts would
confirm the ceasefire conversation, just two days after the
Narayanan-Durrani meeting the Pakistan Rangers and Indian
Border Security Force announced an agreement to refrain from
ceasefire violations along the LoC.

Durrani Presses for CD Progress, Even Without Reduction in
Terror
--------------


5. (C) Durrani reportedly asked his Indian interlocutors to

NEW DELHI 00002739 002 OF 002


not wait for terrorism to completely cease before putting a
real effort into resolving issues falling under the Composite
Dialogue, particularly disputes over the Siachen Glacier and
Sir Creek. He also raised Pakistan's concerns over water
sharing issues arising from reduced flow in the Chenab River.
Narayanan assured Durrani that India would abide by the
provisions of the Indus Water Treaty.


6. (U) In their joint statement, Narayanan and Durrani agreed
to continue their dialogue at a future date, with Narayanan
accepting Durrani's invitation to hold the next round in
Pakistan.

Comment: Talk Is Cheap, but Good in This Case
--------------


7. (C) Comment. While there were no major announcements from
this visit other than the usual proclamations of "the
discussions were most productive" and "covered all issues of
mutual concern and interest" (as stated in the perfunctory
press communique),it comes at a time when India is eager to
find a Pakistani counterpart willing to engage on
counterterrorism. Durrani seems to have filled that role
and, judging by the exceptionally guarded response from our
contacts, it appears these talks went beyond Delhi's
expectations in terms of engaging Islamabad in open
discussion. Pakistani Embassy's Ahmed, too, characterized
the discussions as "unexpectedly positive." The Indian
government these days seems willing to talk to anyone about
anything and call it a success, but this time, it appears a
new open communications channel has been established. Given
that Composite Dialogue and other channels of Indo-Pak
communication had been lagging as of late, while
infiltrations, ceasefire infractions and terrorism were all
rising, any constructive talk at this time has to be seen
positively.


8. (C) Comment continued. One curious note, however
speculatory, came from Ambassador Lalit Mansingh, who related
to Poloff that he had asked Durrani during one of the
meetings whether the Pakistani National Security Advisor came
under the Prime Minister's office, or the President's office.
Durrani responded, "It's part of the President's office, so
far," -- a comment which Ambassador Mansingh said he felt
indicated a lack of confidence by Durrani in President
Zardari's staying power.
WHITE