US embassy cable - 05NEWDELHI9345

C O N F I D E N T I A L NEW DELHI 009345 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/02/2015 
TAGS: PREL, ETTC, MOPS, IN, PSI Proliferation Security Initiative 
SUBJECT: PMO MINISTER CITES DOMESTIC POLITICS IN PSI DEBATE 
 
Classified By: Ambassador David Mulford for Reasons 1.4 (B, D) 
 
1. (C) The Ambassador used a December 9 meeting with 
Prithviraj Chavan,  Minister of State in the Prime Minister's 
Office, to press for early presentation of India's plan for 
separation of its civilian and military nuclear facilities 
and to continue our advocacy of Indian participation in the 
Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI).  Chavan's 
presentation on the July 18 understandings tracked closely 
with what we have heard from the Foreign Ministry, with the 
Minister recalling the PM's emphasis in Parliament on the 
economic benefits that India would derive from implementing 
its side of the deal. 
 
2. (C) On PSI, Chavan's comments were more candid than we 
have heard from others, with a frank admission that the GOI 
was wary of moving too fast due to criticism from its 
political allies that the UPA government is growing overly 
close to the US.  Chavan noted that the GOI had considered 
endorsement of the PSI principles during the July 18 summit, 
but decided to focus its energy on the nuclear understanding, 
which itself was harshly criticized by Communist parties that 
cast it as a concession to American foreign policy.  "We 
can't have too many things on the agenda," the Minister 
cautioned, while adding that it would be easier to move ahead 
as the GOI is able to cite concrete benefits from the 
partnership with America.  With elections coming up in Kerala 
and West Bengal, he added, "you have to give us some space." 
 
3. (C) The Ambassador accepted Chavan's political calculus, 
while underlining that Indian endorsement of PSI would be 
helpful with those members of Congress who are asking how the 
July 18 understandings will strengthen the global 
non-proliferation system. 
 
4. (C) Comment: We will continue to push on this issue in the 
context of the President's visit to India, while bearing in 
mind the domestic political considerations that Chavan 
acknowledged.  On the President's trip, Chavan commented that 
the government would prefer to avoid events in states 
controlled by opposition parties, and in this context 
expressed a strong preference for a visit to Hyderabad rather 
than some other city in South India not controlled by 
Congress.  End Comment 
 
4. (U) Visit New Delhi's Classified Website: 
(http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/sa/newdelhi/) 
MULFORD