US embassy cable - 05NEWDELHI1223

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Identifier:	05NEWDELHI1223
Wikileaks:	View 05NEWDELHI1223 at Wikileaks.org
Origin:	Embassy New Delhi
Created:	2005-02-16 10:41:00
Classification:	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Tags:	PREL IN ASEAN
Redacted:	This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.

UNCLAS NEW DELHI 001223 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, IN, ASEAN 
SUBJECT: INDIA FOR ARF MD SEMINAR, IF EVERYONE ELSE IS 
 
REF: STATE 24613 
 
1.  (SBU) In response to reftel points and concept paper 
regarding an ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) seminar on missile 
defense (MD), MEA Director (Disarmament and International 
Security) Venu Rajamony told us on February 15 that the GOI 
would support it and would be interested in attending, as 
long as there is consensus within the ARF.  PolCouns 
encouraged New Delhi's participation, noting that the USG is 
offering this initiative as a gesture of transparency and in 
the interest of greater regional stability.  Rajamony 
cautioned, however, that the GOI would want to keep a low 
profile on these missile defense issues in the ARF and would 
be unlikely to make any sort of presentation at an ARF 
seminar. 
 
2.  (SBU) Rajamony asked if other ARF members had expressed 
an interest in the MD seminar, recalling that China had been 
"nervous" about it at the October 2004 Intersessional Support 
Group (ISG) Meeting.  The Director added that he planned to 
attend the February 21-23 ISG in Berlin.  He asked that we 
flag for the USG delegation two ideas that India will advance 
in Berlin: an ARF workshop on coordination of maritime 
security training, and a cybersecurity initiative. 
MULFORD