US embassy cable - 05NEWDELHI3717

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 003717 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/03/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PTER, MASS, NP, PK, IN, INDO-PAK 
SUBJECT: NSA NARAYANAN PRESSES FOR ACTION AGAINST LET, 
WELCOMES EXCHANGE ON NEPAL 
 
 
Classified By: Charge Robert O. Blake, Jr. for Reasons 1.4 (B, D) 
 
1.  (C) Summary: In a May 17 meeting with the Charge and 
PolCouns (other topics septel) Indian NSA MK Narayanan 
offered an upbeat readout on the state of Indo-Pak relations, 
and implied that the GOI will push for progress at the 
upcoming Siachen Glacier talks, but cautioned that more 
concerted GOP action against Lashkar-e-Taiba is important to 
insulate the peace process from an upsurge in terrorist 
violence.  On Nepal, Narayanan expressed satisfaction about 
close US-India cooperation, and welcomed the prospect of an 
experts exchange to refine our respective understandings of 
RNA ammunition supplies.  The NSA shared the Indian Army 
assessment that RNA supplies could last for another few 
months, but conceded this might not allow the Army to pursue 
the Maoists actively.  Narayanan indicated that the 
long-stalled US-India Access and Cross-Servicing Agreement is 
being readied for Defense Minister Mukherjee's late June 
visit to Washington. End Summary. 
 
ACSA Moving Ahead 
----------------- 
 
2. (C) The charge opened discussion by congratulating the NSA 
on the government's unexpectedly rapid passage of a strong 
export control bill, and reviewed preparations for the Prime 
Minister's July visit to Washington (details septel). 
Narayanan was visibly pleased about passage of the export 
control bill, and noted that the government had carefully 
briefed the opposition in advance to ensure smooth progress 
through Parliament.  He added laughingly that the BJP boycott 
probably helped to speed passage.  Narayanan was generally 
upbeat about the state of our bilateral relationship, but 
complained that the Indian Space agency (ISRO) has an 
impression that Washington is being unhelpful, pointing for 
instance to restrictions on a proposed Boeing satellite 
program.  Reviewing proposals from Secretary Rice's recent 
visit and the March 25 South Asia initiative, the Charge 
underlined our commitment to moving forward across the 
bilateral relationship.  Narayanan (helpfully) indicated that 
the long-stalled Access and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) 
is being readied for Defense Minister Mukherjee's late June 
visit to Washington. 
 
Explaining Nepal Shift 
---------------------- 
 
3. (C) Turning to Nepal, Narayanan indicated that the GOI 
decision to proceed with military assistance in the pipeline 
reflected an intention to "give the King the benefit of the 
doubt" even though some in the government (especially the 
Foreign Office) "are not sure where the King stands on 
democracy."  Narayanan welcomed the convergence of Indian and 
US strategies, adding that he had spoken with UK NSA 
Sheinwald to explain that the Indian announcement was "not so 
much a change in policy as a concession."  The Charge flagged 
our concern about RNA ammunition supplies, noting that we 
might need consider deliveries soon to maintain the Army's 
operational readiness.  Narayanan shared the Indian MOD 
belief that the RNA "can manage for a few months," while 
conceding that too tight a supply line would leave the Army 
unable challenge the Maoists in offensive operations.  He 
flagged a particular GOI concern that the RNA not use 
Indian-supplied material against the political parties or 
civilian demonstrators, and indicated that New Delhi had 
INSAS ammunition in the pipeline that it would have to decide 
soon how to handle.  "It's a delicate situation," the NSA 
conceded, adding that ultimately the GOI "can't run another 
country." 
 
Cautiously Optimistic on Indo-Pak, Concerned about LET 
--------------------------------------------- --------- 
 
4. (C) Narayanan said New Delhi was concerned about the 
recent up-tick of terrorist violence in J&K, "but did not see 
this as a result of a change in the Pakistani approach." 
Although the GOI is carefully examining the recent car 
bombing in Srinagar, he continued, the recent violence 
appears to be the action of "random groups," which is 
"something we have to live with."  Nonetheless, Narayanan was 
worried about the continued activities of Lashkar-e-Taiba 
(LET), calling this the "touchstone" of Indo-Pak relations 
that will determine the sustainability of the Indo-Pak peace 
process.  Invoking his own career as an intelligence 
professional, Narayanan noted the GOI views LET as a wholly 
owned subsidiary of ISI.  Responding to PolCouns' description 
of recent UN action against LET, the NSA remarked that "I've 
run operations against foreign governments and I can't accept 
this talk of rogue elements."  He recalled that a recent GOI 
operation rolled up three of four LET cells that planned to 
target the Indian military academy.  But what happened to the 
fourth, the NSA asked?  And what about the others we have not 
identified?  "That's what I'm worried about,"  Narayanan 
added, warning that counterterrorism is not a predictable 
science.  As long as GOP support to LET continues (and 
Naraynan implied that the GOI has seen no change in this 
regard) the risk remains of a major terrorist attack linked 
to Lashkar that would torpedo the process of Indo-Pak 
rapproachment. 
 
5. (C) Narayanan reported that the PM had instructed all his 
subordinates that "we need to accept Musharraf's bonafides, 
even on Siachen" (a reference to the upcoming Defense 
Secretaries talks).  With this guidance in mind, the MOD has 
 
SIPDIS 
been instructed "to take as flexible a position as possible" 
for the May 25-26 negotiations.  The NSA seemed oddly removed 
from the activities of back channel envoy Satish Lambah. 
Asked about the next round of Lambah talks with his Pakistani 
counterpart, Narayanan remarked "that's a good question" and 
indicated that he needed to check up on Lambah's activities 
(we have heard from the Pakistanis that Lambah and Aziz will 
meet before the Siachen talks).  Narayanan indicated that he 
is in contact with Musharraf adviser Tariq Aziz on issues of 
immediate operational significance ("If Musharraf wants to 
know something right away, Aziz gives me a call"), but 
indicated that the long-term Indo-Pak negotiations lie with 
Lambah. 
BLAKE