US embassy cable - 05NEWDELHI1305

S E C R E T NEW DELHI 001305 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/16/2015 
TAGS: ASEC, PREL, PTER, KRAD, IN, Counter-Terrorism 
SUBJECT: MISSION INTEREST IN DEVELOPING RADIOLOGICAL 
SECURITY RESPONSE 
 
REF: NEW DELHI 1248 
 
Classified By: DCM Robert O. Blake, Jr. for Reasons 1.4 (B, D) 
 
1.  (S) Taking advantage of the February 8-10 visit by DOE 
and Department officials seeking to engage the GOI in the 
Regional Radiological Security Partnership (reftel), we 
sought more information about the impact of a hypothetical 
radiological attack on Mission facilities.  DCM noted that 
GOI support for Mission security is generally good throughout 
India, but pockets of insecurity around the country, 
instability in neighboring countries, and the ready 
availability of rudimentary nuclear materials in South Asia 
coupled with the presence of radical terrorist groups all 
pose security risks to the Mission.  DCM told the delegation 
that the Mission has evacuation plans as part of its 
emergency response strategy, but does not have a detailed 
response plan in case of a radiological attack.  Noting that 
both the Mission and the GOI have some radiological detection 
capabilities, DCM expressed interest in developing a more 
detailed plan in case of a radiological emergency, including 
training for both Mission and GOI personnel. 
 
2.  (U) DOE provided DCM with a booklet entitled, "A Basic 
Guide to RTR Radiological Materials" and offered to provide 
Mission with more information about how to prepare for a 
radiological emergency. 
 
3.  (S) Mission would also encourage contacts between DS and 
DOE to determine the feasibility of ATA funding to support 
training that DOE might offer to Indian authorities in 
dealing with the consequences of an attack in Delhi, Mumbai, 
Chennai, or Calcutta using a radiological dispersion device. 
MULFORD