INDIA SAYS NO TO REQUEST FOR UNAMID ASSETS

C O N F I D E N T I A L NEW DELHI 000799 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT PASS TO IO/PSC GRACE KANG, LTC JAMES THOMAS AND DOUG WAKE E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/17/2023 TAGS: PREL MARR KPKO SU AN SA BD PA IN SUBJECT: INDIA SAYS NO TO REQUEST FOR UNAMID ASSETS REF: A. STATE 23831 ¶B. NEW DELHI 752 Classified By: Political Counselor Ted Osius for Reasons 1.4 (B, D) ¶1. (C) In a follow up to refs A and B, PolCouns spoke on March 14 to Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Joint Secretary (United Nations Political) Sanjiv Arora, urging SIPDIS India to contribute transport and logistics assets to the United Nations-African Union hybrid peacekeeping operation in Darfur (UNAMID). After describing to PolCouns India's widespread involvement in UN peacekeeping, particularly in African missions such as UNMEE and UNAMIS, Arora explained that concern for the safety of Indian troops was paramount, and noted that Delhi had recently recalled over half its 600 peacekeepers from UNMEE. However, Arora stated, each decision takes into account all relevant factors, and after having concluded internal consultations, India's position of "non-involvement" in UNAMID remains unchanged. He added that reports out of Darfur have vindicated the GOI's position, noting danger posed to peacekeepers and lingering questions on command & control and reporting mechanisms. ¶2. (C) Comment. While Arora was correct in stating that India has an impressive record in PKOs, given its capabilities in transportation and logistics it is disappointing that it has chosen not to participate in UNAMID. While Arora made it clear that India does not plan to contribute at this time, he left open the possibility that, should India's concerns over safety and UNAMID's management challenges be addressed, India may consider changing its non-involvement policy at some future date. Post will continue to look for an opportunity to re-engage the GOI, and suggests that, assuming Washington would like to further pursue India's involvement in UNAMID, we continue to press the issue at upcoming high-level USG-GOI engagements, such as DAS Feigenbaum's upcoming visit to New Delhi and Foreign Minister Mukherjee's visit next week to Washington. End comment. MULFORD