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