Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08NEWDELHI799
2008-03-17 12:00:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy New Delhi
Cable title:
INDIA SAYS NO TO REQUEST FOR UNAMID ASSETS
how-toVZCZCXRO6766 OO RUEHROV DE RUEHNE #0799 0771200 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 171200Z MAR 08 FM AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0925 INFO RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 1052 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 4675 RUEHLU/AMEMBASSY LUANDA 0021 RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 0626 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 6161
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)
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
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