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.


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