INDIA-IRAN TIES HIT BUMPS IN THE ROAD

C O N F I D E N T I A L NEW DELHI 000388

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/06/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV KNNP PINR MNUC MCAP MARR IR IS IN
SUBJECT: INDIA-IRAN TIES HIT BUMPS IN THE ROAD

REF: NEW DELHI XXXX

Classified By: PolCouns Ted Osius for Reasons 1.4 (B,D)


1. (C) SUMMARY: Recent developments illustrated the large
gap between rhetoric and reality in Indo-Iranian relations.
Iran's Ambassador to India expressed concern to the press
February 5 over India's recent launch of an Israeli satellite
with reconnaissance capabilities, warning India against
giving its space technology to launch "spying instruments on
friendly countries." The same day, Ministry of External
Affairs (MEA) Minister Pranab Mukherjee made headlines by
stating publicly that India did "not wish to see the
emergence of additional nuclear weapon states," though he
denied that India was pointing its finger at Iran. END
SUMMARY.

Iran Slaps India for Israeli "Spy" Satellite
--------------


2. (U) Reports that Iran has informally registered its
concerns over India's recent launch of an Israeli "spy"
satellite made front page news February 6, a day after
Iranian Ambassador Seyed Mehdi Nabizadeh told reporters, "We
hope that a wise and independent country like India will not
give their space technology to launch any spying instruments
on friendly countries." Nabizadeh reportedly said that Iran
had informal discussions with the Indians expressing its
opposition to the launch of the 300 kg TECSAR satellite.
Israeli media reported earlier that the satellite would be
used to spy on Iran's nuclear program. According to "The
Hindu," Nabizadeh remarked that "the U.S. continues to be
hostile and even today is trying to create problems between
Iran and its friendly countries. We expect friendly
countries to realize this fact and not affect their
relationship with Iran." India and Israel have refused to
acknowledge any allegations that this was a spy satellite.
(septel)

Foreign Minister Mukherjee: No More (Iranian) Nukes
--------------


3. (U) On the same day Nabizadeh held his press conference,
External Affairs Minister Mukherjee delivered a speech on
Asian security challenges to the prestigious Institute for
Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) (full text emailed to
SCA/INS). In a refreshing change in nuance, he clearly
expressed India's desire for the nonproliferation of nuclear
weapons in the region, stating "we do not wish to see the
emergence of additional nuclear weapon states, for it will
only further endanger international security. Our goal
continues to be a world free of nuclear weapons," adding that
those who were at the center of crafting nuclear policy, such
as Henry Kissinger, George Shultz, Sam Nunn and William
Perry, were "having a rethink" on nuclear weapons today.
Although Mukherjee told reporters he was not referring to any
particular nation, including Iran, India has consistently
stated that a nuclear Iran was not in India's, nor the
region's, best interests.


4. (U) Post will report septel on India's decision not to
participate in talks in Tehran on the Iran-Pakistan-India
natural gas pipeline.

COMMENT: It's All About the Headlines, not the Substance
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -


5. (C) Comment: These recent developments reinforce post
reporting on the large imbalance between rhetoric and
substance on India-Iran relations. While the Government of
India consistently paints a happy face on Indo-Iran
relations, citing national interests, friction continues to
bubble beneath the surface between the two on the issue of
nuclear non-proliferation. Suspicions of one another's
intentions apparently continue to ensure distance in the
bilateral relationship. Meanwhile, lofty rhetoric emanating
from India serves cynically to assuage Leftist and Muslim
domestic political constituencies. End comment.
MULFORD