Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08PARTO100603
2008-10-06 03:38:00
CONFIDENTIAL
US Delegation, Secretary
Cable title:
(U) SECRETARY RICE'S OCTOBER 4 2008 MEETING WITH
how-toO 060338Z OCT 08 FM USDEL SECRETARY //NEW DELHI,ASTANA// TO AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI IMMEDIATE INFO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY AMEMBASSY BERLIN PRIORITY AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PRIORITY AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARTO 100603
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/04/2018
TAGS: OVIP RICE CONDOLEEZZA PREL PHUM KIRF PGOV
PTER, IR, PK, IN
SUBJECT: (U) SECRETARY RICE'S OCTOBER 4 2008 MEETING WITH
INDIAN PRIME MINISTER MANMOHAN SINGH: REGIONAL ISSUES
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARTO 100603
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/04/2018
TAGS: OVIP RICE CONDOLEEZZA PREL PHUM KIRF PGOV
PTER, IR, PK, IN
SUBJECT: (U) SECRETARY RICE'S OCTOBER 4 2008 MEETING WITH
INDIAN PRIME MINISTER MANMOHAN SINGH: REGIONAL ISSUES
1. (U) Classified by: Paul Wohlers, Deputy Executive
Secretary, S/ES, Department of State, Reason 1.4 (d).
2. (U) October 4, 2008: 7:00 p.m.; New Delhi, India.
3. (U) Participants:
U.S.
The Secretary
Ambassador David Mulford
South and Central Asia Assistant Secretary Richard Boucher
Joint Chiefs of Staff Lt. General William Fraser
Ted Osius (Notetaker)
India
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan
Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister T.K.A. Nair
Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon
Special Envoy to the Prime Minister Shyam Saran
Ambassador to the United States Ronen Sen
Ministry of External Affairs Joint Secretary Gaitri Kumar
Joint Secretary, Prime Minister's Office, Pankaj Saran
Virendar Paul (Notetaker)
4. (C) SUMMARY. Prime Minister Singh expressed India's
readiness to resume a composite dialogue with Pakistan and
expand areas of cooperation with its western neighbor.
The Secretary described U.S. efforts to strengthen local
governance in Afghanistan and increase the size of its
army. Urged by the Secretary to look at Indian
investments in Iran with a view to changing that country's
behavior, Singh pledged to continue enforcing UN Security
Council resolutions and stated that the Iran-Pakistan-
India pipeline has yet to move beyond "an exchange of
notes." In response to the Secretary's question about
violence against Christians in India, Singh said the
government had the capability to restore order and protect
the rights of religious minorities. END SUMMARY.
-------------- --------------
Sustained Interest in India Yields Historic Progress
-------------- --------------
5. (SBU) Singh thanked the Secretary for her sustained
interest in India, demonstrated since she published in
Foreign Affairs more than eight years ago. The Secretary
replied that Singh's vision and follow-through had
produced historic progress in U.S.-India relations.
--------------
Ready to Pick Up the Threads in Pakistan
--------------
6. (C) Asked by the Secretary about changes in Pakistan,
Singh replied that, until February 2007, an intense India-
Pakistan dialogue had led to progress on key territorial
issues. "We cannot redraw our borders," he said, but we
can make borders less of an obstacle to people-to-people
exchanges. "We are ready to pick up the threads" of the
dialogue, he continued, because India's people want to
normalize relations and because a moderate, stable
Pakistan is in India's interest. However, cease-fire
violations and infiltration via the Line of Control had
increased since April, and the July bombing of India's
embassy in Kabul greatly complicated India's ability to
maintain a dialogue. As evidence of India's desire to
work with the new government in Islamabad and expand areas
of cooperation, it had announced plans for new trade
routes and its willingness to resume the Composite
Dialogue. Singh characterized President Bush as agreeing
with him that the "jury is still out" on whether
Pakistan's government had the will or the ability to
contain elements that are causing problems, including
within the Pakistani military. He added that "jihadist
elements cannot be wished away," and stated that
Afghanistan's problems cannot be resolved without solving
Pakistan's.
7. (C) The Secretary said she believed the new Pakistani
government wanted to do the right thing, but might not
have the ability. President Zardari had established good
relations with Chief of the Army Staff Kayani, but
Pakistan faces formidable economic challenges. She
recalled that President Bush had urged Zardari to
strengthen relations with India, and expressed hope that
the two countries would soon resume their Composite
Dialogue. The Secretary commended India's restraint
following the Embassy bombing in Kabul. Stating that "the
sky is the limit" for India-Pakistan relations, Singh
replied that he envisioned "one large market" on the
subcontinent and hoped Pakistan would move in the right
direction.
--------------
Indian Activity in Afghanistan an Open Book
--------------
8. (C) The Secretary described a U.S. review of strategies
in Afghanistan, especially in light of strong Taliban
moves in Helmand province that complicated efforts to
stabilize the southern and southeastern parts of the
country. She discussed U.S. determination to increase the
size of Afghanistan's army, and ways that Provincial
Reconstruction Teams had begun strenghthening local
governance. After reviewing India's more than $1.2
billion in commitments for rebuilding Afghanistan, Singh
referred to former Pakistani President Musharraf's claims
that Indian actions were aimed at destabilizing Pakistan.
"We want our activities in Afghanistan to be an open
book," he asserted, adding that India had nothing to hide
and nothing to gain from an unstable neighbor. The
transition to democracy in Afghanistan will not be easy,
he continued, as superimposing modern institutions on a
tribal society has certain limitations. "Democracy is not
a mechanical process," he concluded.
-------------- --------------
Iran-Pakistan-India Pipeline Yet to be Conceptualized
-------------- --------------
9. (C) The Secretary raised U.S. concerns about Iran and
the difficulties faced by the International Atomic Energy
Agency in pursuing questions about Iran's nuclear program.
As a result of three UN Security Council Resolutions, Iran
had lost investment, she said. She asked that India look
carefully at its own investments with a view to changing
Iranian behavior. Singh replied that India did not
support Iran's nuclear ambitions and that he had urged
President Ahmadinejad to work with the world community and
satisfy doubts about Iran's nuclear program. India's
effort has been and will be to use its influence with
Iran, he confirmed. The Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline "has
yet to be conceptualized," he stated, adding that the deal
had not moved further than the exchange of notes. Singh
voiced "philosophical concerns" about the use of
sanctions, arguing that sanctions cause more suffering
among common people than in ruling circles.
10. (C) The Secretary responded that Iran, with a history
of concealing uranium enrichment activities, could receive
international support for its civilian nuclear industry if
it would only cooperate. Singh insisted that India
adheres faithfully to UN Security Council resolutions, but
added that due to domestic concerns, he needed to use
language in Parliament that would placate India's 25
million Shia Muslims who are influenced by Iran. He said
President Ahmadinejad had promised to send him a paper he
had drafted on the world's future. The Secretary
responded with skepticism, saying she would like to see
the paper if Ahmadinejad delivers it. Singh speculated
that Ahmadinejad wished to be invited to sit "at the high
table" with the United States. The Secretary expressed
U.S. willingness to meet with Iran as soon as it suspends
enrichment activities. She described a complex Iranian
decision-making structure and tensions within it. Singh
agreed with the Secretary's characterization, noting that
statesmanship is required to manage such tensions in a
developing country.
-------------- --------------
India Will Protect the Rights of Religous Minorities
-------------- --------------
11. (C) Asked by the Secretary about recent violence
against Christians, Singh explained the background of
violence in Orissa. He said it remained unclear who had
set the process in motion, but that the murder of a Hindu
saint had triggered a chain reaction. He described the
population of the affected area as consisting largely of
primitive tribals, and committed the government to
protecting the human rights of all the state's people.
"We have sent in central forces to support the local
authorities," he said, "and we will remain in touch with
the state government until the matter is resolved." The
Indian system will deal with the problem, Singh concluded.
RICE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/04/2018
TAGS: OVIP RICE CONDOLEEZZA PREL PHUM KIRF PGOV
PTER, IR, PK, IN
SUBJECT: (U) SECRETARY RICE'S OCTOBER 4 2008 MEETING WITH
INDIAN PRIME MINISTER MANMOHAN SINGH: REGIONAL ISSUES
1. (U) Classified by: Paul Wohlers, Deputy Executive
Secretary, S/ES, Department of State, Reason 1.4 (d).
2. (U) October 4, 2008: 7:00 p.m.; New Delhi, India.
3. (U) Participants:
U.S.
The Secretary
Ambassador David Mulford
South and Central Asia Assistant Secretary Richard Boucher
Joint Chiefs of Staff Lt. General William Fraser
Ted Osius (Notetaker)
India
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan
Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister T.K.A. Nair
Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon
Special Envoy to the Prime Minister Shyam Saran
Ambassador to the United States Ronen Sen
Ministry of External Affairs Joint Secretary Gaitri Kumar
Joint Secretary, Prime Minister's Office, Pankaj Saran
Virendar Paul (Notetaker)
4. (C) SUMMARY. Prime Minister Singh expressed India's
readiness to resume a composite dialogue with Pakistan and
expand areas of cooperation with its western neighbor.
The Secretary described U.S. efforts to strengthen local
governance in Afghanistan and increase the size of its
army. Urged by the Secretary to look at Indian
investments in Iran with a view to changing that country's
behavior, Singh pledged to continue enforcing UN Security
Council resolutions and stated that the Iran-Pakistan-
India pipeline has yet to move beyond "an exchange of
notes." In response to the Secretary's question about
violence against Christians in India, Singh said the
government had the capability to restore order and protect
the rights of religious minorities. END SUMMARY.
-------------- --------------
Sustained Interest in India Yields Historic Progress
-------------- --------------
5. (SBU) Singh thanked the Secretary for her sustained
interest in India, demonstrated since she published in
Foreign Affairs more than eight years ago. The Secretary
replied that Singh's vision and follow-through had
produced historic progress in U.S.-India relations.
--------------
Ready to Pick Up the Threads in Pakistan
--------------
6. (C) Asked by the Secretary about changes in Pakistan,
Singh replied that, until February 2007, an intense India-
Pakistan dialogue had led to progress on key territorial
issues. "We cannot redraw our borders," he said, but we
can make borders less of an obstacle to people-to-people
exchanges. "We are ready to pick up the threads" of the
dialogue, he continued, because India's people want to
normalize relations and because a moderate, stable
Pakistan is in India's interest. However, cease-fire
violations and infiltration via the Line of Control had
increased since April, and the July bombing of India's
embassy in Kabul greatly complicated India's ability to
maintain a dialogue. As evidence of India's desire to
work with the new government in Islamabad and expand areas
of cooperation, it had announced plans for new trade
routes and its willingness to resume the Composite
Dialogue. Singh characterized President Bush as agreeing
with him that the "jury is still out" on whether
Pakistan's government had the will or the ability to
contain elements that are causing problems, including
within the Pakistani military. He added that "jihadist
elements cannot be wished away," and stated that
Afghanistan's problems cannot be resolved without solving
Pakistan's.
7. (C) The Secretary said she believed the new Pakistani
government wanted to do the right thing, but might not
have the ability. President Zardari had established good
relations with Chief of the Army Staff Kayani, but
Pakistan faces formidable economic challenges. She
recalled that President Bush had urged Zardari to
strengthen relations with India, and expressed hope that
the two countries would soon resume their Composite
Dialogue. The Secretary commended India's restraint
following the Embassy bombing in Kabul. Stating that "the
sky is the limit" for India-Pakistan relations, Singh
replied that he envisioned "one large market" on the
subcontinent and hoped Pakistan would move in the right
direction.
--------------
Indian Activity in Afghanistan an Open Book
--------------
8. (C) The Secretary described a U.S. review of strategies
in Afghanistan, especially in light of strong Taliban
moves in Helmand province that complicated efforts to
stabilize the southern and southeastern parts of the
country. She discussed U.S. determination to increase the
size of Afghanistan's army, and ways that Provincial
Reconstruction Teams had begun strenghthening local
governance. After reviewing India's more than $1.2
billion in commitments for rebuilding Afghanistan, Singh
referred to former Pakistani President Musharraf's claims
that Indian actions were aimed at destabilizing Pakistan.
"We want our activities in Afghanistan to be an open
book," he asserted, adding that India had nothing to hide
and nothing to gain from an unstable neighbor. The
transition to democracy in Afghanistan will not be easy,
he continued, as superimposing modern institutions on a
tribal society has certain limitations. "Democracy is not
a mechanical process," he concluded.
-------------- --------------
Iran-Pakistan-India Pipeline Yet to be Conceptualized
-------------- --------------
9. (C) The Secretary raised U.S. concerns about Iran and
the difficulties faced by the International Atomic Energy
Agency in pursuing questions about Iran's nuclear program.
As a result of three UN Security Council Resolutions, Iran
had lost investment, she said. She asked that India look
carefully at its own investments with a view to changing
Iranian behavior. Singh replied that India did not
support Iran's nuclear ambitions and that he had urged
President Ahmadinejad to work with the world community and
satisfy doubts about Iran's nuclear program. India's
effort has been and will be to use its influence with
Iran, he confirmed. The Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline "has
yet to be conceptualized," he stated, adding that the deal
had not moved further than the exchange of notes. Singh
voiced "philosophical concerns" about the use of
sanctions, arguing that sanctions cause more suffering
among common people than in ruling circles.
10. (C) The Secretary responded that Iran, with a history
of concealing uranium enrichment activities, could receive
international support for its civilian nuclear industry if
it would only cooperate. Singh insisted that India
adheres faithfully to UN Security Council resolutions, but
added that due to domestic concerns, he needed to use
language in Parliament that would placate India's 25
million Shia Muslims who are influenced by Iran. He said
President Ahmadinejad had promised to send him a paper he
had drafted on the world's future. The Secretary
responded with skepticism, saying she would like to see
the paper if Ahmadinejad delivers it. Singh speculated
that Ahmadinejad wished to be invited to sit "at the high
table" with the United States. The Secretary expressed
U.S. willingness to meet with Iran as soon as it suspends
enrichment activities. She described a complex Iranian
decision-making structure and tensions within it. Singh
agreed with the Secretary's characterization, noting that
statesmanship is required to manage such tensions in a
developing country.
-------------- --------------
India Will Protect the Rights of Religous Minorities
-------------- --------------
11. (C) Asked by the Secretary about recent violence
against Christians, Singh explained the background of
violence in Orissa. He said it remained unclear who had
set the process in motion, but that the murder of a Hindu
saint had triggered a chain reaction. He described the
population of the affected area as consisting largely of
primitive tribals, and committed the government to
protecting the human rights of all the state's people.
"We have sent in central forces to support the local
authorities," he said, "and we will remain in touch with
the state government until the matter is resolved." The
Indian system will deal with the problem, Singh concluded.
RICE