INDIA SHARES VIEWS ON NONPROLIFERATION SUMMIT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 001898 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/03/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL PARM KNNP IN SUBJECT: INDIA SHARES VIEWS ON NONPROLIFERATION SUMMIT Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Les Viguerie for Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D). ¶1. (C) Ministry of External Affairs Joint Secretary for Disarmament and International Security Affairs (MEA/DISA) Gaddam Dharmendra summoned the DCM September 11 to share a nonpaper (paragraph 3) articulating India's views on the UN Security Council summit on nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament to be chaired by President Obama September 24. (Due to scheduling conflicts, MEA/DISA Director Amandeep Singh Gill passed the nonpaper to PolOff in lieu of the DCM.) Gill explained that the nonpaper was intended to share ideas "in a spirit of partnership" so that India might be in a better position to support the outcome of the meeting. He added that India would share similar thoughts with Russia, France, and the UK. ¶2. (C) In sum, the nonpaper described India's views on four points. India opposed calls for the universalization of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT),viewed a moratorium on fissile material production as counterproductive to the goal of negotiating a binding treaty, rejected a role for the UN Security Council in addressing non-compliance, and supported a verification role for the IAEA limited to the terms of the IAEA statute and relevant safeguards agreements. On the first point, Gill suggested that the issue of NPT unniversalization was handled "adroitly" in the text of UN Security Council Resolution 1540, which called on all states "To promote the universal adoption and full implementation, and, where necessary, strengthening of multilateral treaties to which they are parties." ¶3. (C) Full text of nonpaper: The UN Security Council is holding a Summit level meeting on 24 September on Nuclear Non-proliferation and disarmament. We understand that an outcome document is under negotiation, first among the P5. India has been engaged actively and constructively with key members in particular the United States on issues relating to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, especially in the last few years. We have approached these issues in a spirit of partnership in keeping with our shared values, goals and concerns. As the document that emerges from the Summit level meeting will be significant, we would like to share our thoughts on various issues of particular concern to India. First, with regard to the NPT calls for universalisation are unacceptable in view of our well-known position on that treaty. Second, with reference to the FMCT our consistent support for the commencement of negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament is a matter of public record. We do not accept, however, calls for a moratorium on fissile material production. A moratorium would remove the incentive for negotiation of a binding treaty. Third, with regard to the role of the UNSC, we have always maintained that non-proliferation obligations arise from international agreements or treaties to which states are party. Issues of non-compliance should be addressed in accordance with the provisions contained within those international agreements or treaties. The role of the Security Council would arise if those treaties themselves provide for such a role. Fourth, IAEA's role and authority to safeguard peaceful uses and verify the absence of 'undeclared' activity flow from the IAEA statute and relevant safeguards agreement. India has been a consistent votary of nuclear disarmament. We have also upheld the highest standards of non-proliferation. We sincerely hope that India's views would be taken into account. There would be benefit in India's support for the broader objectives of the Summit. NEW DELHI 00001898 002 OF 002 ROEMER