VZCZCXRO8166
OO RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHLH RUEHPW
DE RUEHNE #2552/01 2661116
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 221116Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI
TO RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI IMMEDIATE 3547
RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA IMMEDIATE 2790
RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI IMMEDIATE 2607
RHMCSUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3523
INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC IMMEDIATE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 002552 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/19/2018 
TAGS: IN PGOV PHUM PREL PTER SOCI KWRF
SUBJECT: INDIAN HOME MINISTRY SECRETARY GUPTA RECEPTIVE TO 
OFFER OF COUNTERTERRORISM ASSISTANCE AND TO U.S. CONCERNS 
ABOUT RELIGIOUS VIOLENCE 
 
REF: A) NEW DELHI 2498 B) NEW DELHI 2513 C) CHENNAI 315 
 
NEW DELHI 00002552  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
Classified By: Ambassador David Mulford for Reasons 1.4 (B, D) 
 
¶1. (C) Summary:  Ambassador met with Home Ministry Secretary 
Madhukar Gupta on September 19 to give condolences for the 
September 13 terrorist attacks, offer the GOI a look into the 
USG's model of counterterrorism, and express U.S. concerns 
about recent violence directed at religious minorities in the 
Indian states of Orissa and Karnataka (Ref A, B, and C). 
Gupta, a seasoned bureaucrat, described India's multiple 
efforts in countering terrorism and candidly spoke of the 
challenges presented by coordinating local efforts with 
national and state efforts.  He was receptive to our offer to 
have an Indian team visit the United States to examine the 
U.S. counterterrorism model post-9/11, but only following 
India's holiday season. He also agreed to receive a paper on 
the comprehensive measures taken by the USG post-9/11. We will 
quickly follow-up by providing such a document.  On the matter 
of religious freedom and recent anti-Christian violence, Gupta 
appeared equally engaged and described the steps the GOI is 
taking to bolster law and order in Orissa and Karnataka. 
End Summary. 
 
------ 
GOOD RECEPTION ON OFFER OF COUNTERTERRORISM COOPERATION 
------ 
 
¶2. (C)  Ambassador opened by expressing condolences for the 
victims of the serial terrorist attacks that occurred in New 
Delhi on September 13.  The terrorists are using similar 
methods in targeting various parts along the breadth and 
length of India, providing great challenges for any national 
government. The Ambassador candidly told Gupta that maybe now 
is an opportune time to deepen counterterrorism cooperation 
with India in light of this new terrorist challenge and the 
debate within India about passing a new anti-terrorism law. 
Like India, the United States has a federal structure and 
faced a similar challenge of coordinating among various 
levels of government administration after the 9/11 attacks. 
Perhaps, India could benefit by examining some of the immense 
changes the U.S. Government made. The Ambassador was clear 
that the United States does not seek joint counterterrorism 
operations with India but suggested that we could provide the 
GOI with a paper describing the comprehensive steps the USG 
has taken post-9/11 to prevent future acts of terrorism and 
improve coordination between law enforcement agencies in the 
United States.  Gupta replied that he would welcome such a 
paper and had received a similar offer and paper from the 
German Embassy this week. He agreed that coordination across 
jurisdictions is a challenge, and said the GOI has a 
three-tier approach focused on the national, state, and 
local levels.  The GOI has also established a 24/7 multi- 
agency center but admitted that this has been plagued by 
staffing problems. 
 
¶3. (C) The Ambassador directed Gupta's attention to the 
RSO and Legal AttachQ who described the changes the United 
State made to improve coordination across federal, state, 
and local jurisdictions. Legal AttachQ told Gupta that the 
United States learned lessons the hard way.  Prior to 9/11, 
there was no political will or multi-agency approach to 
countering the terrorist threat.  However, after 9/11, the 
US Government created a community-based model of prevention 
that focused on a bottom-up approach of more direct interaction 
with local and state law enforcement.  The model ensured that 
local and state police officials were able to connect with 
other USG officials across the United States and with 
international partners.  Gupta responded that the GOI is 
confident in its effectiveness at the federal and state level 
but that the local level, the constable on the patrol, remains a 
challenge.  Over the years, the effectiveness of the local 
police has eroded.  The GOI has pressed states to remedy this 
and renew the constable system. The GOI is also making efforts 
to involve civil society such as business organizations and 
civil defense.  Gupta illustrated the success of cooperating 
with civil society by citing the lack of casualties from the 
terrorist attack in the Greater Kailash neighborhood on 
September 19.  Only 15 days earlier, the people of the area had 
practiced a drill and therefore were able to evacuate the 
area around the bombing within five minutes.  Gupta added 
that the use of local elements by terrorist outfits, such as 
Lashkar-e-Toiba, to execute terrorist acts is a particular 
 
NEW DELHI 00002552  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
challenge.  Like the United Kingdom, India has to keep in mind 
the huge sensitivities of the local communities within 
which violent extremists often operate.  Gupta agreed 
that it would be useful to see the U.S. model and what 
India could replicate.  The Ambassador emphasized that one 
of the most important requirements is a recognition by all 
stakeholders of the scope and nature of all that needs to 
be changed. 
 
¶4. (C) Gupta suggested that a discussion on technology as 
well as how one can detect whether terrorists are placing 
explosives could be useful.  The Ambassador agreed and 
invited Gupta to send a team to visit the United States. 
The Legal AttachQ added that the team could also tour the 
U.S. National Counterterrorism Center.  Gupta agreed, adding 
that he would be happy to send a team after two or three months 
when the holiday season passed. 
 
-------- 
CENTRAL GOVERNMENT TAKING ACTIONS AGAINST TO STOP FURTHER 
ANTI-CHRISTIAN VIOLENCE 
-------- 
 
¶5. (C) Moving to the matter of religious freedom, the 
Ambassador told Gupta that the Secretary will release the 
International Religious Freedom (IRF) report today.  Since 
the report can be sensitive, he told Gupta that he wanted 
to highlight some specific issues.  The U.S. Embassy sent a 
team to Orissa (Ref A) which reported the complex social and 
economic factors that combined with religion to trigger the 
violence in the state. Regarding Karnataka, the Ambassador 
frankly told Gupta that the USG and many groups in the U.S. 
are very concerned about the nature of the violence directed 
toward Christians.  The USG is aware that some new Christian 
groups in Karnataka utilize aggressive proselytizing 
tactics; however, the actions by the police suggest 
that some of the violence is politically motivated.  The 
Ambassador informed Gupta that the recent violence against 
Christians do not fall in the reporting period of the IRF 
but would very likely receive attention during the report's 
public release. 
 
¶6. (C) Agreeing with the Embassy's analysis of the situation 
 in Orissa, Gupta described the complex tribal and caste 
tensions in the state.  He believed the fundamental problem is 
related to caste.  Gupta stressed that that the GOI has sent 
clear directives to state and local officials not to maintain 
law and order and not allow disruptive actions that cause 
further turmoil. Turning to Karnataka, Gupta said he shared U.S. 
concerns and told the Ambassador that has talked daily to 
the Karnataka state secretary about maintaining peace. 
In addition, the GOI has issued a strong message to the state 
government. (Note. The media report that the GOI is preparing 
a formal warning to the Karnataka government under Article 355 
of the Indian constitution. Article 355 states that it shall 
be the duty of the Union to protect every State against external 
aggression and internal disturbance. End Note.)  Gupta stressed 
that this type of tension always attracts some "lumpen elements" 
who cause further disorder; however, he understands that people 
cannot be allowed to take the law into their own hands. 
The Ambassador reiterated U.S. concerns about the participation 
of the police in the violence and the importance of police 
neutrality.  Gupta replied that this is unfortunately sometimes 
the case throughout the world; however, the GOI hopes the 
strong message it has sent to the state government proves 
effective. (Note. The past two days has seen very little 
anti-Christian violence in the state.  End Note.) 
 
 
¶7. (C)  Comment. Gupta seemed receptive to our offer to pass 
a paper describing our post-9/11 counterterrorism model, in 
addition to sending a GOI team to visit the United States. We 
need to quickly follow-up by sending the paper.  The USG has 
often had a difficult time engaging the Indians on 
counterterrorism.  The opening provided by this meeting could 
change the dynamic if the GOI eventually finds the U.S. 
model useful in improving its own national model to meet 
the terrorist challenge. (Note. The Legal AttachQ plans to 
send the paper to the GOI next week. End Note). 
 
MULFORD