INDIA CAUTIOUS ON DELIVERING STRONG MESSAGE TO IRAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L NEW DELHI 002038

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/01/2019
TAGS: AORC IAEA PHUM PREL PROP CASC KNNP MNUC PARM
IR, IN
SUBJECT: INDIA CAUTIOUS ON DELIVERING STRONG MESSAGE TO IRAN

REF: A. SECSTATE 99897

B. NEW DELHI 01946

C. NEW DELHI 01929

Classified By: POLCOUNS Uzra Zeya for Reasons 1.4 (B, D)


1. (U) This message contains an action request for Washington
in paragraph 9.


2. (C) SUMMARY: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Joint
Secretary Y.K. Sinha (Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran Division)
told us in an October 1 meeting that India shares our
concerns about Iran's nuclear program and agrees that Iran
should meet its international obligations, while supporting
Iran's rights to a peaceful use of atomic energy. He
remained non-committal, however, on whether India would
deliver stronger public and private messages to Iran
regarding its uranium enrichment facility and lack of
cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA),citing sensitivities in India-Iran relations. Sinha
expressed concern that sanctions would affect Indian firms
and the Indian economy, which he described as dependent on
Iranian oil. Sinha agreed to consider a possible Indian
approach to Iran on missing/detained AmCits. END SUMMARY.

US, British, and French Approach MEA to Ask for Support
--------------


3. (C) PolCouns, accompanied by her counterparts from the
British High Commission and French Embassy, briefed Ministry
of External Affairs (MEA) Joint Secretary Y.K. Sinha
(Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran Division) on the existence of a
covert uranium enrichment facility in Iran (reftel A),
emphasizing that this constituted a serious violation of
Iran's international obligations and continued Iranian
deception of the international community. The PolCouns trio
stressed the need for India to publicly support holding Iran
to its international obligations and to deliver similarly
strong messages privately to the Iranian Government.

India on the Record: Iran Nuclear Ambitions and the IAEA
--------------


4. (C) Sinha welcomed our briefing, expressed understanding
for our concerns, and reiterated that India does not want
another nuclear power in the region. While agreeing that
Iran should meet its international obligations, Sinha
explained that India does not want to be seen as intervening
with or dictating to Iran. The GOI may raise the issue with
Iran during regularly scheduled bilateral meetings, but it
would do so cautiously and in the context of the broader
Indian-Iranian bilateral relationship. (Note: Sinha
confirmed that Iranian FM Mottaki is expected to visit India
this fall, though no date is set, but declined to confirm
press reports of a PM Singh visit to Tehran by year-end. End
Note.). While Iran has an obligation to the international
community, it also has the right to develop a peaceful
nuclear program, explained Sinha. Sinha felt that the IAEA
should play a pre-eminent role on this issue. "We will have
to wait and see how things play out in Geneva and we will
take it from there," Sinha stated. While expressing hope for
a positive outcome from the P5 1-Iran talks in Geneva, Sinha
stated that India would support whatever decision the IAEA
made and recalled India's earlier IAEA votes against Iran as
evidence of Indian resolve.

A Lack of Enthusiasm on Sanctions
--------------


5. (C) Sinha expressed concern over the prospect of
sanctions, explaining they would likely hurt Indian financial
and energy sectors, especially as India does not have a say
in how such sanctions are imposed. Referring to India's
dependence on energy from Iran, Sinha spoke about the GOI's
responsibility to its citizens and explained the need to
protect Indian companies which would feel the negative
effects of such measures taken against Iran. "We agree on
the end goal ) the question is how to tackle the issue,"
explained Sinha.

Uranium Enrichment Facility
--------------


6. (C) Sinha sought clarity on the legal status of Iran's
uranium enrichment facility, referencing Iran's claim that it
has "come clean" about the facility and that it is
cooperating with the international community. PolCouns
dismissed this argument and reaffirmed that Iran was
obligated to declare this facility to the IAEA when it
decided to build it, and failed to do so.

Resolving AmCit cases in Iran
--------------


7. (C) After her French and British counterparts departed,
PolCouns also raised the issue of missing/detained Americans
in Iran (reftel B). Sinha agreed to look into whether the
GOI could raise these humanitarian cases with Iran.


8. (U) Action Request: Sinha expressed interest in the
outcome of ongoing P5 1 talks with Iran in Geneva. Post
would appreciate any information Washington can provide with
respect to these discussions that we can share with India.
ROEMER