US embassy cable - 05NEWDELHI7752

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 007752 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR PM/PPA RFEATHERSTONE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/04/2015 
TAGS: PREL, KPKO, KUNR, IN, IT, UNSC, UNGA, GOI 
SUBJECT: GOI ON ICJ ELECTIONS DEMARCHE, ITALIAN COESPU 
TRAINING, UN REFORM 
 
REF: A. STATE 179062 
     B. STATE 183291 
 
Classified By: PolCouns Geoff Pyatt for Reasons 1.4 (B, D) 
 
1.  (SBU) Summary: PolCouns and Poloff delivered Ref A 
demarche on ICJ elections, discussed Ref B plans for funding 
travel of Indian students to Italy's Center of Excellence for 
Stability Police Units, and reviewed the way forward for 
cooperation on UN reform in an October 5 conversation with 
MEA Joint Secretary (UN Political) Sanjiv Arora, who had 
recently returned from the UNGA meetings in New York.  With 
decision-makers back in New Delhi, now would be a good time 
to again engage with the GOI on working together on UN reform 
areas of mutual interest.  End Summary. 
 
ICJ Elections 
------------- 
 
2.  (SBU) Noting the strong USG interest in Judge 
Buergenthal's reelection, Arora stated that India would look 
into his candidacy, but made no commitment on support.  He 
undertook to notify us of any GOI decision. 
 
COESPU Funding 
-------------- 
 
3.  (SBU) Arora expressed appreciation that the US and Italy 
had agreed to fund travel of Indian students for COESPU, and 
stated that the GOI would forward the list of participants to 
the Italian Embassy after receiving a note verbale from the 
Italians confirming the funding.  (Note: The Italian Embassy 
told us that they expect to send the note verbale on October 
5 or 6.  End Note)  Arora agreed that the US, India and Italy 
should continue to explore ways to integrate India's 
peacekeeping training resources into a joint approach to 
enhance global peace support operations capabilities. 
 
UN Reform Efforts Continue 
-------------------------- 
 
4.  (SBU) The Outcome Document at the UNGA Summit was a 
"mixed bag" in India's view.  Arora observed that while 
achieving a consensus was admirable, developing country 
concerns were not adequately represented in the Document.  He 
agreed that it would be useful for the US and India to 
continue to consult on areas of UN reform to identify how to 
move common interests forward.  Arora highlighted cooperation 
under the auspices of the UN Democracy Fund as a key area of 
US-India collaboration that should be encouraged. 
 
Comment: Need to Re-engage on UN Reform 
--------------------------------------- 
 
5.  (C) The sometimes contradictory Indian messages on UN 
reform are in part a result of the division of responsibility 
among New Delhi bureaucrats, New York-based diplomats, and 
traveling high-level MEA officials during the hectic month of 
September.  The prickliness of some Indian diplomats in New 
York also reflects disappointment at US opposition to India's 
highest-priority goal (a permanent UNSC seat).  Since the 
decision-makers have returned to New Delhi, now would be a 
good time to again meet at a high level to determine exactly 
where US and Indian objectives intersect, and how we can best 
move those goals forward. 
 
6.  (U) Visit New Delhi's Classified Website: 
(http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/sa/newdelhi/) 
Mulford