US embassy cable - 05NEWDELHI6218

C O N F I D E N T I A L NEW DELHI 006218 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/27/2015 
TAGS: PREL, EAID, MASS, IZ, IS, IN, India-Iraq 
SUBJECT: INDIAN MID-EAST ENVOY PITCHES FOR GAZA ROLE, 
LAMENTS INACTION ON IRAQ 
 
REF: NEW DELHI 5355 
 
Classified By: Charge Robert O. Blake, Jr. for Reasons 1.4 (B, D) 
 
1. (C) In an August 10 meeting with the Charge, GOI "West 
Asia" Special Envoy Chinmaya Gharekhan underlined New Delhi's 
strong interest in contributing to the task of Israeli 
disengagement from Gaza, and noted that India was discussing 
with the Palestinians how best to channel its $50 million 
assistance commitment.  Against this background, the GOI is 
pitching for an invitation to participate in the Ad Hoc 
Liaison Committee, and has made this proposal formally to the 
Norwegians (who reportedly replied favorably).  The Indians 
are also discussing their Palestinian initiative with the 
Israelis, including Defense Ministry security adviser Amos 
Gilad, who visited New Delhi July 26-27.  "We want to be 
involved," Gharekhan underlined. 
 
2. (C) The West Asia Envoy also discussed recent Indian 
initiatives on Iraq (reftel) and reaffirmed the GOI offer for 
military or police training.  Responding to the Charge's 
suggestion that the US-India Democracy Initiative unveiled at 
the White House on July 18 might allow for an Iraq project, 
Gharekhan reaffirmed the Indian offer of assistance to the 
Constitution drafting process.  He acknowledged that time was 
now very short for anyone outside Iraq to engage in this 
effort, but underlined that Prime Minister Singh was "really 
excited about the prospect of India being helpful."  He 
replied favorably to the Charge's suggestion of a meeting 
between the Indian and Iraqi Foreign Ministers at UNGA, and 
indicated he would also recommend a meeting between Singh and 
Prime Minister Al-Jaafari, if the two will be in New York at 
the same time. 
 
3. (C) PolCouns noted that the question of military and 
security force training for Iraqis had come up in a recent 
discussion between Army Chief of Staff General Schoomaker and 
Indian Vice-Chief of Army Staff Thakur.  Gharekhan jumped in 
to say that this Indian offer was still very much on the 
table, but so far the Iraqis have not responded.  "There is 
no doubt that we are ready to help," the Ambassador 
underlined.  He added that India has also presented Baghdad 
with an offer of 100 scholarships for graduate level 
education, but here too New Delhi is waiting for suitable 
candidates. 
 
4. (C) Comment: Gharekhan's appointment resulted from the GOI 
concern that its influence in the Middle East was waning at a 
time of political ferment across the region.  He was visibly 
frustrated by New Delhi's inability to become more engaged in 
the process of Israeli redeployment.  On Iraq, security 
concerns continue to limit GOI involvement, but India's 
contributions are also impeded by poor communications with 
the authorities in Baghdad. 
BLAKE