Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NEWDELHI2319
2009-11-17 13:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy New Delhi
Cable title:
U/S TAUSCHER AND INDIAN NSA NARAYANAN DISCUSS NON-PRO AND
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 002319
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/10/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV PARM KNNP ENRG PK IN
SUBJECT: U/S TAUSCHER AND INDIAN NSA NARAYANAN DISCUSS NON-PRO AND
CIV-NUKE ISSUES
Classified by Ambassador Tim Roemer for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 002319
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/10/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV PARM KNNP ENRG PK IN
SUBJECT: U/S TAUSCHER AND INDIAN NSA NARAYANAN DISCUSS NON-PRO AND
CIV-NUKE ISSUES
Classified by Ambassador Tim Roemer for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary: In a November 12 meeting with Indian National
Security Advisor MK Narayanan, Under Secretary for Arms Control and
International Security Ellen Tauscher reviewed the status of USG
efforts regarding START, CTBT, and the FMCT. Narayanan expressed
great interest in USG efforts to refurbish weapons without testing
through sound stockpile management practices, and identified this
area as "rich for future cooperation." Turning to issues pertaining
to the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, Narayanan
provided a positive response to U/S Tauscher's call for greater GOI
flexibility in addressing the issue of number of reprocessing sites
so that a reprocessing arrangement can be initialed in advance of
Prime Minister Singh's November 24 state visit. He took on board
points made by U/S Tauscher and the Ambassador about the need for
swift GOI action on Part 810 licensing assurances and liability
legislation -- key civil nuclear legacy issue -- prior to the Prime
Minister's visit. End Summary.
START, CTBT, and FMCT Updates
--------------
2. (C) U/S Tauscher opened the cordial 40-minute meeting by updating
Narayanan on the progress of important USG non-proliferation efforts.
With regard to START, she noted that the existing agreement expires
in 20 days. The administration hopes to conclude a bridging
agreement with Russia in the coming weeks and obtain Senate
ratification of a follow-on treaty next year. The administration
will also seek ratification of the CTBT after extensive briefings and
hearings to better inform senators and the public about CTBT
importance. Regarding the FMCT, U/S Tauscher noted that she hoped
Pakistan would come around to agreement. She acknowledged
Narayanan's point that India "is not the problem" on FMCT.
3. (C) U/S Tauscher noted that a recurring weapons-related question
from U.S. senators regards USG ability to refurbish weapons without
testing. She said that effective refurbishment is possible through
proper stockpile management, a process that allows the USG to know
that weapons are safe and reliable without testing while maintaining
sound environmental and security standards. Narayanan expressed keen
interest in this process, stating that he wished to convince GOI
officials that India does not need to test weapons. In reply to
Narayanan's request to learn more about this process, possibly
through a visit to USG facilities, U/S Tauscher stated that we wish
to share as much of this sort of information as we can. Narayanan
identified the matter as a "rich area of cooperation in the future."
Civ-Nuke Issues
--------------
4. (C) U/S Tauscher expressed hope that a bilateral reprocessing
agreement can be initialed prior to Prime Minister Singh's November
24 state visit, and she urged maximum GOI flexibility on the issue of
number of reprocessing sites. She conceded that while it might have
been better had the parties anticipated the need for two sites, they
had stipulated to a single site and inclusion of an additional site
at this time would require Congressional assent, whichcould be
problematic. Narayanan stated that India will in the future require
a reprocessing site on each coast to obviate the need for extensive
transportation of nuclear waste. He indicated flexibility for an
interim solution, however, and said the GOI would work with the USG
to find "acceptable language."
5. (C) Regarding key outstanding implementation measures of the
bilateral civil-nuclear agreement, U/S Tauscher and the Ambassador
stressed the importance of GOI providing Part 810 licensing
assurances and introducing liability legislation prior to PM Singh's
visit. Ambassador Roemer encouraged Narayanan to complete and sign
the Part 810 Licensing assurance before the PM's visit, as a sign of
progress and goodwill. Narayanan stated that the GOI was moving
NEW DELHI 00002319 002 OF 002
ahead on these measures.
Comment
--------------
6. (C) Ambassador Roemer recommends we should follow up on this
meeting with some specific offers to the GOI's National Security
Advisor. These would include (1) sharing with him the reports that
will be coming out in the next few months (i.e., the National Academy
of Science study, an unclassified NIE on this subject, and
documentation related to best practices on effective stockpile
management); (2) encouraging the NSA to visit the United States in
the spring and provide access, where permissible, to the appropriate
USG facilities on stockpile management.
Roemer
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/10/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV PARM KNNP ENRG PK IN
SUBJECT: U/S TAUSCHER AND INDIAN NSA NARAYANAN DISCUSS NON-PRO AND
CIV-NUKE ISSUES
Classified by Ambassador Tim Roemer for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary: In a November 12 meeting with Indian National
Security Advisor MK Narayanan, Under Secretary for Arms Control and
International Security Ellen Tauscher reviewed the status of USG
efforts regarding START, CTBT, and the FMCT. Narayanan expressed
great interest in USG efforts to refurbish weapons without testing
through sound stockpile management practices, and identified this
area as "rich for future cooperation." Turning to issues pertaining
to the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, Narayanan
provided a positive response to U/S Tauscher's call for greater GOI
flexibility in addressing the issue of number of reprocessing sites
so that a reprocessing arrangement can be initialed in advance of
Prime Minister Singh's November 24 state visit. He took on board
points made by U/S Tauscher and the Ambassador about the need for
swift GOI action on Part 810 licensing assurances and liability
legislation -- key civil nuclear legacy issue -- prior to the Prime
Minister's visit. End Summary.
START, CTBT, and FMCT Updates
--------------
2. (C) U/S Tauscher opened the cordial 40-minute meeting by updating
Narayanan on the progress of important USG non-proliferation efforts.
With regard to START, she noted that the existing agreement expires
in 20 days. The administration hopes to conclude a bridging
agreement with Russia in the coming weeks and obtain Senate
ratification of a follow-on treaty next year. The administration
will also seek ratification of the CTBT after extensive briefings and
hearings to better inform senators and the public about CTBT
importance. Regarding the FMCT, U/S Tauscher noted that she hoped
Pakistan would come around to agreement. She acknowledged
Narayanan's point that India "is not the problem" on FMCT.
3. (C) U/S Tauscher noted that a recurring weapons-related question
from U.S. senators regards USG ability to refurbish weapons without
testing. She said that effective refurbishment is possible through
proper stockpile management, a process that allows the USG to know
that weapons are safe and reliable without testing while maintaining
sound environmental and security standards. Narayanan expressed keen
interest in this process, stating that he wished to convince GOI
officials that India does not need to test weapons. In reply to
Narayanan's request to learn more about this process, possibly
through a visit to USG facilities, U/S Tauscher stated that we wish
to share as much of this sort of information as we can. Narayanan
identified the matter as a "rich area of cooperation in the future."
Civ-Nuke Issues
--------------
4. (C) U/S Tauscher expressed hope that a bilateral reprocessing
agreement can be initialed prior to Prime Minister Singh's November
24 state visit, and she urged maximum GOI flexibility on the issue of
number of reprocessing sites. She conceded that while it might have
been better had the parties anticipated the need for two sites, they
had stipulated to a single site and inclusion of an additional site
at this time would require Congressional assent, whichcould be
problematic. Narayanan stated that India will in the future require
a reprocessing site on each coast to obviate the need for extensive
transportation of nuclear waste. He indicated flexibility for an
interim solution, however, and said the GOI would work with the USG
to find "acceptable language."
5. (C) Regarding key outstanding implementation measures of the
bilateral civil-nuclear agreement, U/S Tauscher and the Ambassador
stressed the importance of GOI providing Part 810 licensing
assurances and introducing liability legislation prior to PM Singh's
visit. Ambassador Roemer encouraged Narayanan to complete and sign
the Part 810 Licensing assurance before the PM's visit, as a sign of
progress and goodwill. Narayanan stated that the GOI was moving
NEW DELHI 00002319 002 OF 002
ahead on these measures.
Comment
--------------
6. (C) Ambassador Roemer recommends we should follow up on this
meeting with some specific offers to the GOI's National Security
Advisor. These would include (1) sharing with him the reports that
will be coming out in the next few months (i.e., the National Academy
of Science study, an unclassified NIE on this subject, and
documentation related to best practices on effective stockpile
management); (2) encouraging the NSA to visit the United States in
the spring and provide access, where permissible, to the appropriate
USG facilities on stockpile management.
Roemer