The United States was surprised by an Indian suggestion in 2005 that it consider participation in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), and Washington saw that as a possible attempt by New Delhi to “balance” Pakistan's request to include China in the grouping.
Nine countries have been given observer status. Since the 14th SAARC Summit in New Delhi, they have attended the inaugural and closing sessions of the summits.
A U.S. diplomatic cable dated November 17, 2005 (45425: confidential), accessed by The Hindu through WikiLeaks, deals with the possible logic behind India sounding the U.S. on the proposal.
The cable, sent by U.S. Political Counselor Geoffrey Pyatt Jr., said that at a briefing on the 2005 SAARC Summit, Ministry of External Affairs Joint Secretary (SAARC) P.K. Kapur had told him that both Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran supported a closer U.S. role in the regional body and requested feedback from the U.S.
Mr. Kapur told the U.S. diplomat that the membership invitation extended to Afghanistan and the decision to offer China and Japan observer status were among the most important outcomes of the Summit.
“The offer for US Observer Status may be an attempt to balance Pakistan's request to include China, but it is a welcome opportunity to play a more prominent role in promoting US foreign policy goals for South Asian integration and reflect India's confidence in its relationship with the US,” the cable said.
The U.S. diplomat quoted Mr. Kapur as saying that Prime Minister Singh was “very comfortable” and Foreign Secretary Saran was “quite positive” about the idea of U.S. participation.
Although “India would not suggest it,” New Delhi would “welcome US interest in becoming an observer.” Mr. Kapur added that the debate over including China as an observer created a unique opportunity for India to suggest a similar status for the U.S.
The cable said: ‘“If the US wants a closer association with SAARC anytime in the next ten years,' he observed, ‘you should tell us now.' He requested feedback before the April 2006 Special Session of the Standing Committee of Foreign Secretaries, when the leaders will likely agree on a mechanism for Chinese and Japanese Observer status.”
The cable added that Mr. Kapur indicated that India looked forward to Afghanistan's membership in SAARC and confirmed rumours about Nepal's attempts to block the invitation at Pakistan's request.
In his comment on the Indian suggestion, the U.S. diplomat said that if the U.S. wanted closer association with SAARC, it was the right time to move. He viewed the Indian invitation as a reflection of the dynamics of the current balancing act among South Asian powers.
The cable further noted:
“In return for Afghanistan's membership, Pakistan wanted Chinese involvement. Since India was not able to block this proposal, and since China has agreed to India's full participation at the East Asian Summit, New Delhi went along with Chinese and Japanese observer status.
“This invitation may be India's attempt to devalue China's observer status, but it is nonetheless a welcome opportunity for the US to support South Asian Integration. It also reflects India's growing trust in its strategic partnership with the US. We should grab this offer with both hands.”
(The Pakistan Cables are being shared by The Hindu with NDTV in India and Dawn in Pakistan)
Keywords: cable45425, The Pakistan cables, cablegate, WikiLeaks, Indo-U.S. relations, SAARC
We are another pakistan in the making.
I do agree with Nirmal , however ,what are the point that we can take from this cable is important? India is losing race with china in terms of Foreign relations and regional influence. * India being NAM country , Is not able to reform it foreign policy goal post cold-war. * India is failing to live to worlds expectation as a new power that can nutralise the China.
What i would like to say is that old Indias' policy relating to the foreign policy has to change. If we want be super power and soveregin we need to first learn to be super power and start confidential building measures with our neighbour. China and pak will never be a threat if we fill the gap in Asia that has been left blank after departure of colonial power, for development of the region.
Nirmal is right
What is the harm in getting the US involved. People should stop knee jerk anti-US sentiments. Biggest threat to India is from a joint PAk-China axis in the SAARC, which Nepal and Sri Lanka also seem eager to join. India will be left alone, and China will use other SAARC nations to destroy us - Isnt that obvious? China has already crippled us by helping Pak develop nuclear weapons, and the day is not far that jihadi groups can use dirty bombs on our cities - this is an existential threat to us, can you please stop ideological and theoritical hatred of the US and recognise that its the only chance we have to balance China.
Infact it was a good move strategically to include US in the structure of SAARC since it will be lead to positive competition between both superpowers US and China in various aspects resulting in better investments in the region and also will mean that our region does not put all eggs in one basket.
we can expect this and much more from Congress Govt. They have also allowed US to have their say in Cabinet reshuffle. Cong govt will stoop to any level to please US. In next 10 years, if they are allowed to be power,they will lease our country to US.
It shows how corrupt the government was(is) and the level of interference of US in our foreign policy.
Forget about Pakistan trying to include China but its a joke that we are inviting US in SAARC as observer. I would request The Hindu to have debate on this subject its the question of our sovereignty.
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