INDIA NON-COMMITTAL ON THE IRAN CHORUS, BUT

C O N F I D E N T I A L NEW DELHI 001929 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/INS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/14/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL IN SUBJECT: INDIA NON-COMMITTAL ON THE IRAN CHORUS, BUT CONCURS ON NEED FOR IRAN TO MEET INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS REF: STATE 95073 Classified By: Political Counselor Uzra Zeya for reasons 1.4 (B,D) ¶1. (C) Ambassador raised reftel points with National Security Advisor MK Narayanan September 14 and with MEA Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao September 16. With both officials, the Ambassador stressed the need for strong private GOI private approaches to Iran on the consequences of its non-compliance with international obligations, and thanked India for constructive positions it had taken so far. Narayanan said he understood the USG position and "would see what India could do." FS Rao, who was more forthcoming, reiterated the Indian government view that Iran should abide by its international obligations and that India wanted to see the issue resolved peacefully without isolating Iran. Without specifying what India would do in response to our points, Rao noted that India had taken positions helpful to the U.S. in the past. ¶2. (C) Post will continue to press GOI officials on this issue and will report progress septel. ROEMER