INDIA UNSURE OF PARTICIPATION IN IAEA TECHNICAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L NEW DELHI 003146 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/11/2018 TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM IAEA SY TRYG IN SUBJECT: INDIA UNSURE OF PARTICIPATION IN IAEA TECHNICAL COOPERATION WITH ANYONE, LET ALONE SYRIA REF: SECSTATE 127578 Classified By: Ambassador David Mulford for Reasons 1.4 (B and D) ¶1. (C) Poloff delivered reftel demarch to Ministry of External Affairs Deputy Secretary for Disarmament and International Security Mr. Vipul December 11. Vipul was aware that the IAEA Board of Governors approved Syria's nuclear power plant technical feasibility study project proposal and that IAEA Member States are not required to support its implementation. Apart from the merits of Syria's proposal, he was unaware whether India has provided such technical assistance in the past or whether it would do so if asked. Vipul said he understoood our specific concerns about Syria, but he would have to consult within the Indian bureaucracy about whether India would get involved in any such project under any circumstances, let alone in the case of Syria. Post will continue to raise the issue and report any further developments. MULFORD