U.S. COAST GUARD AND MEA AGREE TO STEP UP MARITIME

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 000379 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/06/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR MOPS PHSA CE IN SUBJECT: U.S. COAST GUARD AND MEA AGREE TO STEP UP MARITIME COOPERATION NEW DELHI 00000379 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: PolCouns Ted Osius for Reasons 1.4 (B,D) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Following a series of Indian port inspections, a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Internet Port Security Program (IPSP) delegation told Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Joint Secretary for Americas Gaitri Kumar that they found Indian port security to be at an acceptably high level and that ports were run by well-trained security forces, although Indian ports are currently at an increased level of security that was not sustainable. The delegation informed Kumar of the upcoming South Asia Regional Port Security Cooperation (SARPSCO) event and asked for MEA's assistance in facilitating Indian participation. Kumar agreed to help, and asked for USCG assistance in implementing the Indo-U.S. Maritime Security Group which was proposed in January 2008 by the Defense Policy Group (DPG). The delegation invited the Indian Coast Guard to visit the U.S. in a reciprocal visit. END SUMMARY. U.S. Coast Guard Finds India's Ports Meet International Port Security Standards -------------- ¶2. (C) USCG Commander Mark Eyler told MEA Joint Secretary for Americas Gaitri Kumar February 4 that the International Port Security Program (IPSP) team had determined that Indian port security was at an acceptably high level, that India had substantially implemented IPSP standards, and that Indian ports were manned by well-trained security forces. Following visits to five Indian ports, Eyler indicated that his delegation had been treated well and that the team was able to access three out of five ports, including Vishakhaptnam Port Trust (VPT),Mormogao Port Trust (MPT) in Goa, and Chennai Port Trust (CPT). Although the delegation was not allowed access to Jawahalal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Mumbai, a high-volume Indo-U.S. trading port, Eyler assured Kumar that the team was able to make an effective determination of the state of Indian port security. He noted that the CPT in particular had made significant improvements and had followed up on previous USCG recommendations by installing a state of the art closed-circuit television system and a wireless public address system. On a national level, Lieutenant Commander Richard J. Kavanaugh reported that the Government of India (GOI) had purchased radiation 
detection portals equipment and was installing it at all ports and border-crossings in compliance with the Indian Weapons of Mass Destruction Act. ...however, High Alert in Indian Ports is Not Sustainable -------------- ¶3. (C) Kavanaugh observed that Indian ports had been at security alert level 2 out of 3 since 2006, suggesting that this had been too long and was an unsustainable drain on security forces. The IPSP team would recommend that all Indian ports come up with a more sustainable security level given the current security climate. Kumar replied that, following a series of blasts and an increased threat perception, India was in a heightened state of alert. "It is a very tense situation security-wise, especially with the problems in our neighborhood," she explained. Eyler maintained that it would be better for India to change its security alert baseline rather than remaining in a heightened state of security which is unlikely to end any time soon. Kumar concurred and thanked the delegation for the briefing, promising that the MEA would take its suggestions into consideration and convey them to the concerned parties. U.S. Coast Guard and MEA Agree: Step Up Regional Cooperation and Bilateral Maritime Security -------------- ¶4. (C) Turning to multilateral issues, Eyler pointed out that the South Asia region had no existing regional forum for international maritime security cooperation. He informed Kumar that the Maldives would host a South Asia Regional Port Security Cooperation (SARPSCO) forum May 18, to be comprised of Coast Guards from the region, the International Maritime Organization (IMO),port security officials, Interpol and maritime industry representatives, to name a few. India's participation would be essential, Eyler underlined, and asked for the MEA's support. Kumar responded positively, imparting that it would "just be a matter of cooperation, and figuring out where to get clearances, etc." NEW DELHI 00000379 002 OF 002 ¶5. (C) On bilateral cooperation, Kumar reported that the DPG agreed in January 2008 to implement an Indo-U.S. Maritime Security Group which would involve the respective navies and coast guards as chief players, as well as shipping ministries, ports and police. Considering the high incidence of piracy in the region, Kumar emphasized that this was a good opportunity for cooperation between the U.S. and India, and encouraged Eyler to raise the issue with the U.S. Navy and the Department of Defense. The DPG was committed to this, she averred, as were the DOS and the MEA, noting that, though the initiative had been on the table for a while, it had "fallen between several stools." ¶6. (C) Reciprocal visits were a part of the IPSP program of which India had not yet taken part, Eyler informed Kumar. Such a visit could be used to explore other aspects of maritime governance, such as vessel trafficking and search and rescue, he added. Kumar said she would relay this to those concerned, as well as inform those who had participated in the visit that it had been a good experience, and would remind them to continue to provide feedback to the IPSP team in the interest of maintaining a positive relationship with the USCG. ¶7. (U) U.S. Coast Guard Delegation Participants included Commander Mark Eyler, Lieutenant Commander Richard J. Kavanaugh, and Lieutenant Commander Jason Flennoy. MULFORD