US embassy cable - 05ALMATY4143

C O N F I D E N T I A L ALMATY 004143 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN (J. MUDGE), EUR/PRA (J. CONLON), NP/RA 
(C. EVANS) 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/20/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PARM, KNNP, KZ, IN, ECONOMIC 
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: HIGH INTEREST IN CIVIL NUCLEAR 
COOPERATION WITH INDIA 
 
REF: A. STATE 190856 
     B. STATE 203310 
 
1. (C) POEC chief passed Ref A information on civil nuclear 
cooperation with India by the Nuclear Suppliers Group to 
Olzhas Togyzbayev, head of the MFA's Security Institutes 
Division, on November 4 in Astana.  Togyzbayev commented that 
Kazakhstan is developing good, intensive relations with 
India.  The GOK sees India as a serious partner that can be 
trusted to adhere to non-proliferation rules.  Kazakhstan is 
already seeking to develop economic cooperation with India, 
particularly in the area of high technology.  Given their 
geographic proximity and Kazakshtan's uranium reserves and 
nuclear expertise, Togyzbayev saw civil nuclear cooperation 
with India as a distinct possibility. 
 
2. (C) Togyzbayev concurred that it would not be wise to 
change the NSG's rules to permit such cooperation, in order 
to avoid setting an unhelpful precedent.  Togyzbayev pointed 
out that it would be very helpful for India to sign the IAEA 
Additional Protocol and the NPT.  He was pleased to learn 
that the U.S. was working toward a multilateral FMCT as part 
of this initiative, because he believed there were doubts in 
the international community about the USG's commitment to 
pursuing such an agreement. 
 
3. (C) Sergey Savelyev, deputy director of the MFA's 
Department of International Organization and Security Issues, 
requested a meeting with POEC chief on November 16 in Almaty 
to discuss the India initiative further.  He asked what the 
reaction had been at the October NPT, as Kazakhstan did not 
send a representative.  He also asked whether any NSG members 
had opposed the initiative.  Savelyev underscored 
Kazakhstan's interest in expanded opportunities for 
cooperation with India, and asked whether the USG was 
requesting specific action from the GOK.  POEC chief 
expressed appreciation for the GOK's interest and support, 
explained that we were discussing this initiative with all 
members of the NSG and that several steps would be necessary 
before such cooperation could begin.  POEC chief shared 
copies of U/S Burns' and U/S Joseph's November 2 SFRC 
testimony with Savelyev (Ref B). 
ORDWAY 
 
 
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