

Currently released so far... 12478 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AU
ASEC
AE
AF
AORC
AEMR
AMGT
ABUD
AFFAIRS
APER
AS
AMED
AY
AG
AR
AJ
AL
AID
AM
AODE
ABLD
AMG
AFIN
ATRN
AGAO
AFU
AN
AA
ALOW
APECO
ADM
ARF
ASEAN
APEC
AMBASSADOR
AO
ASUP
AZ
AADP
ACOA
ANET
AMCHAMS
ACABQ
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
APCS
AGMT
AINF
AIT
AORL
ACS
AFSI
AFSN
ACBAQ
AFGHANISTAN
ADANA
ADPM
AX
ADCO
AECL
AMEX
ACAO
ASCH
AORG
AGR
AROC
ASIG
AND
ARM
AQ
ATFN
AC
AUC
ASEX
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
BL
BR
BO
BA
BD
BM
BK
BG
BU
BB
BH
BTIO
BY
BEXP
BP
BE
BRUSSELS
BF
BIDEN
BT
BX
BC
BILAT
BN
BBSR
BTIU
BWC
BMGT
CA
CASC
CVIS
CM
CH
CO
CU
CD
CWC
CI
CS
CY
CMGT
CF
CG
CR
CB
CV
CW
CE
CBW
CT
CPAS
COUNTERTERRORISM
CJAN
CODEL
CIDA
CDG
CDC
CIA
CTR
CNARC
CSW
CN
CONS
CLINTON
COE
CROS
CARICOM
CONDOLEEZZA
COUNTER
CL
COM
CICTE
CIS
CFED
COUNTRY
CJUS
CBSA
CEUDA
CLMT
CAC
COPUOS
CIC
CBE
CHR
CTM
CVR
CITEL
CLEARANCE
CACS
CAN
CITT
CARSON
CACM
CDB
CAPC
CKGR
CBC
EC
EG
EPET
ECON
ETRD
EFIN
EIND
EMIN
ENRG
EAID
EAGR
EUN
ETTC
EAIR
ENIV
ES
EU
EINV
ELAB
ECIN
EFIS
ELTN
EWWT
ECPS
ECONOMIC
ENGR
EN
EINT
EPA
ELN
ESA
EZ
ER
ET
EFTA
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EUMEM
ETRA
EXTERNAL
EI
EUR
EK
ERNG
ENGY
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENERG
EINVEFIN
ENVR
ECA
ELECTIONS
ETC
EUREM
ENNP
EFINECONCS
EURN
ECINECONCS
EEPET
EXIM
ERD
ENVI
ETRC
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ETRO
EDU
ETRN
EAIG
ECONCS
ECONOMICS
EAP
ECONOMY
EINN
EIAR
EXBS
ECUN
EINDETRD
EREL
EUC
ESENV
ECONEFIN
ECIP
EFIM
EAIDS
ETRDECONWTOCS
EUNCH
EINVETC
IZ
IT
IR
IS
IN
IC
IAEA
IO
ICAO
IWC
ID
IV
ISRAEL
IAHRC
IQ
ICTR
IMF
IRS
IDP
IGAD
ICRC
ICTY
IMO
IL
INRA
INRO
ICJ
ITU
IBRD
INMARSAT
IIP
ITALY
IEFIN
IACI
ILO
INTELSAT
ILC
ITRA
IDA
INRB
IRC
INTERPOL
IA
IPR
IRAQI
ISRAELI
INTERNAL
ISLAMISTS
INDO
ITPHUM
ITPGOV
ITALIAN
IBET
INR
IEA
IZPREL
IRAJ
ITF
IF
KDEM
KU
KPAL
KNNP
KCRM
KZ
KN
KS
KJUS
KTFN
KSCA
KV
KISL
KPAO
KPKO
KIRF
KTIA
KIPR
KFLO
KFRD
KTIP
KAWC
KSUM
KCOM
KAID
KE
KTDB
KMDR
KOMC
KWBG
KDRG
KVPR
KTEX
KGIC
KWMN
KSCI
KCOR
KACT
KDDG
KHLS
KSAF
KFLU
KSEO
KMRS
KSPR
KOLY
KSEP
KVIR
KGHG
KIRC
KUNR
KIFR
KCIP
KMCA
KMPI
KBCT
KHSA
KICC
KIDE
KCRS
KMFO
KRVC
KRGY
KR
KAWK
KG
KFIN
KHIV
KBIO
KOCI
KBTR
KNEI
KPOA
KCFE
KPLS
KSTC
KHDP
KPRP
KCRCM
KLIG
KCFC
KTER
KREC
KTBT
KPRV
KSTH
KRIM
KRAD
KWAC
KWMM
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KOMS
KX
KMIG
KRCM
KVRP
KBTS
KPAONZ
KNUC
KNAR
KPWR
KNPP
KDEMAF
KNUP
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KGIT
KPAI
KTLA
KFSC
KCSY
KSAC
KTRD
KID
KOM
KMOC
KJUST
KGCC
KREL
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFTFN
KO
KNSD
KHUM
KSEC
KCMR
KCHG
KICA
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KCGC
KWWMN
KPAK
KWNM
KWMNCS
KRFD
MOPS
MCAP
MPOS
MARR
MO
MNUC
MX
MASS
MG
MY
MU
ML
MR
MILITARY
MTCRE
MT
MEPP
MA
MDC
MP
MAR
MASSMNUC
MARAD
MAPP
MZ
MD
MI
MEETINGS
MK
MCC
MEPN
MRCRE
MAS
MIL
MASC
MC
MV
MTCR
MIK
MUCN
MEDIA
MERCOSUR
MW
MOPPS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MTRE
MEPI
MQADHAFI
MAPS
NO
NATO
NL
NP
NZ
NSF
NI
NH
NG
NAFTA
NU
NASA
NR
NATOPREL
NSSP
NSG
NA
NT
NW
NK
NPT
NPA
NATIONAL
NPG
NSFO
NS
NSC
NE
NGO
NDP
NIPP
NRR
NEW
NZUS
NC
NAR
NV
NORAD
OTRA
OPCW
OVIP
OAS
OREP
OPIC
OIIP
OPRC
ODIP
OEXC
OPDC
OSCE
OIC
OSCI
OECD
OFDP
OFDA
OMIG
OPAD
OFFICIALS
OVP
OIE
OHUM
OCS
OBSP
OTR
OSAC
ON
OCII
OES
PGOV
PREL
PHUM
PTER
PINS
PINR
PREF
PK
PROP
PA
PARM
PBTS
PMAR
PM
PGIV
PE
PRAM
PHUH
PHSA
PL
PNAT
PO
PLN
PAO
PSA
PHUMPGOV
PF
PEL
PBIO
POLITICS
PHUMBA
PAS
POL
PREO
PAHO
PMIL
POGOV
POV
PAK
PNR
PRL
PG
PREFA
PSI
PINL
PU
PARMS
PRGOV
PALESTINIAN
PAIGH
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POSTS
PROG
PORG
PTBS
PUNE
POLICY
PDOV
PCI
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PBT
PP
PS
PY
PTERE
PGOF
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PPA
PINT
PRELP
PSEPC
PGOVE
PINF
PNG
PGOC
PFOR
PCUL
POLINT
PGGV
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PGOVLO
PHUS
PDEM
PECON
PROV
PHUMPREL
RS
RU
RELATIONS
RW
RO
RM
RP
ROOD
RICE
RUPREL
RSO
RCMP
REACTION
REPORT
REGION
RIGHTS
RF
RFE
RSP
RIGHTSPOLMIL
ROBERT
SU
SCUL
SNAR
SOCI
SF
SA
SHUM
SENV
SP
SR
SY
SANC
SC
SMIG
SZ
SARS
SW
SEVN
SO
SEN
SL
SNARCS
SNARN
SI
SG
SN
SH
SYR
SAARC
SPCE
SHI
SCRS
SENVKGHG
SYRIA
SWE
STEINBERG
SIPRS
ST
SNARIZ
SSA
SK
SPCVIS
SOFA
SIPDIS
SAN
TC
TI
TBIO
TH
TSPL
TRGY
TSPA
TPHY
TU
TW
TS
TAGS
TK
TX
TNGD
TZ
TF
TL
TV
TN
TD
TIP
TR
TP
TO
TT
TFIN
THPY
TERRORISM
TINT
TRSY
TURKEY
TBID
US
UK
UNGA
UP
UZ
UNMIK
USTR
UNO
UNSC
UN
UNESCO
UNAUS
UNHRC
UY
UG
UNHCR
UNCND
USOAS
USEU
UNICEF
UNEP
UV
UNPUOS
UNCSD
USUN
UNCHR
UNDC
USNC
UE
UNDP
UNC
USPS
USAID
UNVIE
UAE
UNFICYP
UNODC
UNCHS
UNIDROIT
UNDESCO
UNCHC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 08NEWDELHI126, LET'S FIX IRRITANTS THAT PLAGUE THIS PARTNERSHIP,
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #08NEWDELHI126.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
08NEWDELHI126 | 2008-01-14 14:29 | 2011-03-21 01:00 | SECRET | Embassy New Delhi |
Appears in these articles: http://www.thehindu.com/news/the-india-cables/article1556669.ece |
VZCZCXRO1441
OO RUEHBI RUEHCI
DE RUEHNE #0126/01 0141429
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 141429Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0019
INFO RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI 2261
RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA 1577
RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI 1369
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 04 NEW DELHI 000126
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/08/2018
TAGS: PREL AMGT KREC OFDP ODIP IN
SUBJECT: LET'S FIX IRRITANTS THAT PLAGUE THIS PARTNERSHIP,
AMBASSADOR TELLS MENON
Classified By: Ambassador David Mulford for Reasons 1.4 (B and D)
¶1. (S) Summary: The Ambassador told Foreign Secretary Menon January 11 that a range of bilateral problems has started to make people question the strategic partnership that both sides seek, and wonder why the USG has encountered such difficulty when it has done so much to try to bring India into the global nonproliferation mainstream. The Ambassador listed the Indian insistence to x-ray the diplomatic pouch, visa delays for U.S. officers, holding U.S. sales of property in India hostage to resolution of the tax issue in New York, the delay in the expansion of the Fulbright program, and persistent lack of cooperation on agricultural issues as among the irritants that seem inconsistent with the emerging strategic partnership that both countries advertise. Menon explained that some issues keep reappearing, others result from lack of enthusiasm from Indians in engaging already negative people in the U.S., and some problems result from political sensitivities. The Ambassador wondered if many annoyances stemmed from increased pressure from India's Intelligence Bureau (IB). Menon asked that the U.S. prepare a list of annoyances so both sides could try to resolve them in a systematic fashion. Since the U.S. and India are partners in building an important strategic relationship, we either should not be having these kinds of petty problems, or, if they do come up, we should work together positively to resolve them immediately. This is not happening. Instead, these problems are multiplying and festering. (The civil nuclear, China and Pakistan portions of the discussion are reported in septels (notal).) End Summary.
Irritants Sour the Relationship
- - -
¶2. (C) In a January 11 conversation with Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon, the Ambassador observed that despite ambitious visions and intentions, the intense efforts that both sides have put into strengthening the partnership, the persistence and number of problems has reached a point to cause players in Washington, NGOs, U.S. companies, foundations, universities, and think tanks to question whether the Government of India remains committed to the grand vision that President Bush and Prime Minister Singh have set out to accomplish. ""There is a long list of troubles for both the government and private sector,"" he asserted, and suggested that the two sides sit down and thoroughly discuss each issue at a later date. He expressed great frustration with:
-- The stark difference between the broad strategic vision and the harsh on-the-ground realities that trouble the USG and private sector players doing business in India. Whether it's trade negotiations, Doha Round talks, unfulfilled legacy items like the outstanding judgment in McDermott's favor, or any of a host of other issues like pending proposals for a Model American Center in New Delhi, the rhetoric is so far above the actual contours of the relationship as to risk the impression that the Emperor has no clothes.
-- The insistence by India on x-raying U.S. diplomatic pouches, which complicates the timely delivery of visa foils to the Chennai consulate, and could trigger a stoppage in visa issuances;
-- Inordinate and unexplained visa delays for officers assigned to the U.S. mission in India, which impose personal inconvenience and costs on people who we want to approach the Indian government with a positive attitude;
-- The linkage established by India between the state tax issue in New York over which the Federal Government has no control and the refusal by the Indian government to allow the U.S. to sell property in New Delhi despite the USG having done all it could to help resolve what is essentially a state-level issue under our Constitution;
-- Delay in approval of two simple amendments to permit the expansion of the Fulbright program, which prevents a 50 percent increase in the program this year, as well as a delay in offering matching funding;
-- The assertion that NGOs can only meet each other under the government-to-government Global Issues Forum (GIF) and crude attempts to enforce this standard;
NEW DELHI 00000126 002 OF 004
-- The unresponsiveness on U.S. efforts to address agriculture market access issues;
-- The lack of cooperation in solving issues related to American schools in Mumbai and Chennai that limit the necessary growth of these schools.
¶3. (C) The Ambassador added that the recent claim by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar that the problems in South Asia have their roots in Washington only further compounds the sense that the partnership exists in name only. (Note: Reports of Pawar's remarks have been emailed to SCA/INS. End Note) Moreover, substantive issues such as the Logistics Support Agreement and the Communications and Information Security Memorandum of Agreement remain stalled, the Ambassador noted. These problems have already lost India traction within the U.S. government, which makes people less willing to go out on a limb to argue on India's behalf. The Ambassador warned that India may be dropped to Tier 3 status in the Trafficking in Persons ranking as a result of the impression in Washington that India had not yet done enough to combat modern day slavery. Finally, the Ambassador related that corporations, NGOs, and others have faced an increasing number of obstacles while trying to do their own business in India, possibly undermining what had been the real success story in the bilateral relationship.
Several Factors Lie Behind the Annoyances
- - -
¶4. (C) Menon agreed that the two sides should discuss the list of issues, but he said that he saw several reasons behind the accumulation of grievances. Several issues, he pointed out, have persisted over many years, such as the matter of the diplomatic pouch, which he thought the Indian government and U.S. had resolved in 2002. The tax issue has also only recently become major, even though it has existed for several years (although this is not true). Menon complained that other issues exist because the interaction with the U.S. generates negative reinforcement. As an example, he cited the trafficking dialogue as a case in which the Indian government makes an effort to demonstrate its progress but has discussions with U.S. counterparts, which are not reflected in the decisions made in Washington. Finally, he admitted that some bilateral matters suffer from politics, such as the sensitive issue of agriculture, in which the Indian government faces blame for farmer suicides. These reasons notwithstanding, however, Menon said that he wants to work with the U.S. to resolve these issues. The civil nuclear cooperation initiative, however, has nothing to do with these problems, Menon assured.
¶5. (C) The Ambassador asserted that in his four years in India, he has never sensed such a high level of frustration. Menon noted that the Fulbright issue ""is not a problem, but just a matter of timing."" Menon also dismissed the protocol issues, and told the Ambassador ""not to take them as the barometer of the relationship."" The Ambassador warned that he faced pressure to take reciprocal action, and he feared that such measures could lead to an unpleasant chain of events. Matters that his staff had raised with MEA Protocol had invariably led to inaction, new problems, and petty bickering. The new Model American Center was one such example. Likewise, the petty problems that surround official visits. In the case of the Model American Center, the MEA had promised months ago to help by sending its approval to the Ministry of Housing and to the Delhi government, and by securing a meeting with Delhi's Lieutenant Governor, but nothing had been delivered, and the matter's transfer to the Protocol Department was not an encouraging sign.
We will retaliate on TIP Downgrade
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
¶6. (C) Menon remarked that if the U.S. did lower India to Tier III status, the Indian government would retaliate.
U.S. Suspects Hostility of Intelligence Agencies
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
¶7. (S) The Ambassador surmised that many problems might arise from the Intelligence Bureau, such as the recent revocation from the Indian American in the Mumbai consulate of his Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card, and the renewed delays in issuing visas to arriving mission personnel. Menon demurred,
NEW DELHI 00000126 003 OF 004
and asked the Ambassador to provide a list of instances so that he could pinpoint where the problem originated.
Can't the U.S. Do More On the Tax Issue?
- - -
¶8. (C) Some of India's positions make little sense, the Ambassador complained, such as tying the New York tax issue to the need for the U.S. to sell property in India. ""Where states have their own authority under our Constitution to impose taxes and have their own courts to review these issues, the federal government cannot make states do things contrary to the U.S. Constitution,"" the Ambassador stressed. Menon responded that states do not have the right to tax diplomatic missions, and India will not compromise. The Ambassador protested the linkage that the Indians have made with the U.S. Embassy's desire to sell property. ""You have made it clear we cannot proceed with the sale of property because of tax issues that are not within our power to resolve,"" the Ambassador stated. Menon asked if the U.S. has any solution to the problem. The Ambassador recalled that the U.S. government submitted a statement as a Friend of the Court, but could not do more, especially with the judgment still pending. ""It is beyond our power,"" the Ambassador underlined. Meanwhile, Menon remarked that India ""did not cave into the sharks that cause problems here.""
Friends Fix Irritants
- - -
¶9. (C) The Ambassador said that if the U.S. and India wanted to fulfill the vision of friendship and trust, that these problems should not arise, and if they do, the countries should work together to fix them quickly. Menon agreed that reviewing a list of problems would help both sides fix these irritants.
MEA: ""We Are Like This Only""
- - - - - - - - - - - -
¶10. (C) Subsequent to the Ambassador,s meeting, MEA J/S (AMS) Gaitri Kumar called PolCouns to present her view on the bilateral issues raised with FS Menon. Kumar asked that the USG keep in mind that her tiny office is often working on multiple, simultaneous high-level visits, and tries to keep up with the 36 working group dialogues that the two nations have established. She attributed our problems in resolving key issues to a sluggish and rule-bound Indian bureaucracy that has not yet adjusted to the idea that the U.S.-India relationship has entered a new historical phase. PolCouns reminded Kumar that most of the two dozen or so irritants we have been discussing cannot be resolved until India,s security services signal their concurrence.
Comment: Bureaucracy Still Fighting the Cold War
- - -
¶11. (S) In the absence of sustained political support from the top of the Indian government for relations with the USG, the Indian bureaucracy is reverting to its knee-jerk bureaucratic non-responsiveness. Much of the blame for the Congress Party's current timidity lies with is fear of the Left's reaction to the advancement of the agenda with the U.S. Also, at least half of our problems stem from the fact that the Intelligence Bureau simply does not trust us and harbors resentment at what it perceives as continuing USG efforts to penetrate the Indian services. The security services also watch Indian bureaucrats very carefully to spot the slightest counter-intelligence concern, so this sort of climate makes it risky for even the most pro-American bureaucrats to stick their necks out for us on the various issues they handle in the absence of political level support and encouragement. We note that under the NDA government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee it was easier to meet Indian officials and get business done, even in the paranoid Ministry of Home Affairs, but the Congress government has reverted to type, indulging in the sorts of Brezhnev-era controls on its people of which Indira Gandhi would have approved. The Nehru dynasty needs to become more like the Tata dynasty.
¶12. (S) Since the U.S. and India are partners in building an important strategic relationship, and the U.S. is the country that is trying to bring India in from the nuclear cold, we either should not be having these kinds of petty problems, or, if they do come up, we should work together positively to
NEW DELHI 00000126 004 OF 004
resolve them immediately. This is not happening. Instead, these problems are multiplying, festering and being deepened, and attitudes here are out of step with our stated goals. We will engage in a thorough review with Menon of these problems, but we also need Washington support at the highest levels to warn the Indians that they need to be more like Jet Airways and less like Air India or the world will dismiss their hype as well as ours as premature and consign them to the second tier of global powers for the early 21st century. It's not just the USG that is suffering; private investors and businesses, educational institutions, NGOs, foundations, public service groups, and private individuals are also realizing that the Indian government's attitude remains surly, unwelcoming, suspicious, and small minded. If India is truly to become a great power -- a key Presidential goal -- its government will need to shed its traditional petty zero-sum mentality.
MULFORD