A/S BLAKE DISCUSSES STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP DIALOGS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 001535

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/INS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER ECON ENRG SOCI IN
SUBJECT: A/S BLAKE DISCUSSES STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP DIALOGS
WITH INDIAN MEA


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Assistant Secretary Robert Blake met with
Indian Joint Secretary (AMS) Gaitri Kumar July 21 and
outlined next steps in the new Strategic Dialogue. They
agreed that Counter Terrorism was an immediate focus and that
Home Minister Chidambaram should visit Washington as soon as
possible. They identified the possibility of holding the
first energy dialog between Steven Chu and Indian Renewable
Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah on the sidelines of an
October climate change and renewable energy conference in
India. Deputy Chair of the Planning Commission Montek
Ahluwalia plans to attend the G-8 and G-20 meetings in
Pittsburgh as a sherpa creating an opportunity for a formal
economic dialog meeting. A/S Blake suggested that Indian
Education Minister Kapil Sibal reach out to U.S. Secretary of
Education Arne Duncan and schedule a visit. Gaitri conveyed
that the Indian Parliament would like to invite the First
Lady to participate in the launch of a new GOI education
campaign in New Delhi. END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian
Affairs Robert Blake met with Indian Ministry of External
Affairs (MEA) Joint Secretary (Americas) Gaitri Kumar on July

21. A/S Blake offered thanks at the conclusion of a
successful visit by Secretary Clinton. Gaitri said that
Clinton was "amazing" with an impressive grasp on Indian
sensitivities.


3. (SBU) Blake and Gaitri discussed how to proceed with the
strategic partnership dialogs between the United States and
India and agreed that a robust schedule of visits would set
deadlines to motivate progress on deliverables. They agreed
to aim high on identifying specific, credible deliverables
for Prime Minister Singh's November 24th visit to the U.S.
and for a possible high level visit to India sometime in

2010. They also agreed to quickly prioritize dialogs, and to
encourage individual agencies to focus on them as soon as
possible. Gaitri indicated that this is the approach the
Deputy Chair of the Planning Commission would like to take
and that he will get cabinet ministers involved and
personally work with PM Singh in order to get appropriate
resources and officers.


4. (SBU) They identified counterterrorism as a more
immediate agenda item, and agreed that Home Secretary
Chidambaram should visit D.C. very soon. Blake emphasized
that Chidambaram's counterparts in D.C. were ready to meet
with him and suggested setting dates for a visit in mid
October of 2009 to encourage increased cooperation on
training and intelligence sharing. Gaitri agreed to
communicate the suggestion to Chidambaram promptly. (Note:
Chidambaram's staff have now suggested that he was ready to
visit in late August.)


5. (SBU) Clean energy also presented immediate
opportunities. Gaitri suggested that since FutureGen is
currently restructuring, it could be used as one deliverable
for a visit. Blake pointed out that Steven Chu has been
invited to a climate change and renewable energy conference
in India in October. He suggested that Indian Renewable
Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah invite Chu as a keynote
speaker and conduct the first energy dialog meeting on the
sidelines of the conference. Gaitri responded
enthusiastically, saying that Abdullah is enthusiastic and
energetic.


6. (SBU) Regarding the economic dialog, Gaitri said that
GOI has an economic agenda paper to share with the U.S., and
noted Deputy Chairman Ahluwalia would plan to go as a sherpa
to G-20 and G-8 meetings in Pittsburgh. She suggested that a
meeting to set a mutual agenda could be scheduled during that
time. Blake pointed out that the economic dialog receives
the input of the CEO's Forum, and informed Gaitri that the
U.S. CEO's Forum is being restructured with a set of criteria
and an application process for members. The forum will not
be reconstituted in time for the UN General Assembly session
in September, but the U.S. goal is to be ready for
substantive meetings on the sidelines of the PMs visit.
Gaitri agreed with the proposed timeline.


7. (SBU) In the education dialog, Blake suggested that
Indian Education Minister Kapil Sibal reach out to U.S.
Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and schedule a visit. It
would be best if Kapil went to the U.S. first, followed by
alternating visits, said Blake. Gaitri pointed out that
before he was Secretary, Duncan had reached out to GOI to
bring Indian math and science teachers to Chicago schools, a
project that is now under way. As a deliverable for
President Obama's visit, Gaitri suggested setting up
partnerships between U.S. and Indian universities.

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8. (SBU) Gaitri conveyed that the Indian Parliament would
like to invite the First Lady to participate in the launch of
a new education campaign in New Delhi. The Foreign Minister
and Foreign Secretary have agreed that Kapil may invite her.
Gaitri said that the MEA would share the information with the
U.S. Embassy.


9. (U) Assistant Secretary Blake did not have the
opportunity to clear this message.
WHITE