UNCLAS NEW DELHI 000135 SENSITIVE SIPDIS EAP FOR DAVID RODRIGUEZ, NIRAV PATEL, AND KEVIN SHEIVES. S/P FOR JAMES GREEN. E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECIN PREL XC XE XU ASEAN APECO ARF IN SUBJECT: INDIA: ENGAGING POSTS ON THE SECRETARY'S SPEECH ON ASIA-PACIFIC MULTILATERALISM REF: STATE 2965 (SBU) We discussed reftel points regarding the USG role in Asia-Pacific regional institutions during a January 21 conversation with Gaurangalal Das, Director for East Asian Affairs at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. Das expressed overall appreciation for the approach enunciated in the Secretary's January 12 speech, and he contrasted the new approach favorably with that taken by the previous U.S. administration. He stated that India views Asia-Pacific multilateral fora primarily as means to promote and increase trade and investment links. When asked about the Secretary's speech reference to a possible trilateral dialogue between India, Japan and the U.S., Das said he believed the matter of a formal dialogue had already been discussed without conclusive outcome among senior officials of the three governments. ROEMER