View source for Contents of the United States diplomatic cables leak (India)

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[[Contents of the United States diplomatic cables leak|Content from the United States diplomatic cables leak]] has depicted [[India]] and related subjects extensively. The leak, which began on 28 November 2010, occurred when the website of [[WikiLeaks]]&nbsp;– an international [[new media]] [[non-profit]] organisation that publishes submissions of otherwise unavailable documents from anonymous [[Journalism sourcing|news sources]] and [[news leak]]s&nbsp;– started to publish classified documents of detailed correspondence&nbsp;– [[diplomatic cable]]s&nbsp;– between the [[United States Department of State]] and its diplomatic missions around the world. Since the initial release date, WikiLeaks had been releasing further documents daily.
==Domestic affairs==
===1984 anti-Sikh riots===
According to [[Robert O Blake]], several officials in the [[Government of India]] actively and passively assisted in the [[1984 anti-Sikh riots]] because of "opportunism and hatred"<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-06/india/29515961_1_anti-sikh-riots-gujarat-riots-nanavati-commission-report|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111125013015/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-06/india/29515961_1_anti-sikh-riots-gujarat-riots-nanavati-commission-report|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 November 2011|title=US saw Cong hand in anti-Sikh riots, reveal Wiki leaks|accessdate=10 May 2011|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=6 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://wikileaks.ch/cable/2005/08/05NEWDELHI6310.html|title=Cable Viewer|work=[[WikiLeaks]]|accessdate=10 May 2011|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429130429/http://wikileaks.ch/cable/2005/08/05NEWDELHI6310.html|archivedate=29 April 2011}}</ref>
===Cash for votes in South India===
Political parties regularly bribe voters, in the form of cash, goods, or services, before elections in [[South India]]. It may range from financing the construction of a community well to putting into an envelope and delivering it inside the morning newspaper. Politicians and their operatives have admitted to violating election rules to influence voters. The money used to pay for the bribes come from the money raised through fundraising. The practice is thought to have swung many elections where the race was close.<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/news/the-india-cables/article1541385.ece "206688: cash for votes in South India"] (2009-13-05), The Hindu.</ref>
===Biometric database===
The U.S. State Department solicited "biographical and biometric information on key [[Non-Aligned Movement|NAM]]/[[Group of 77|G-77]]/[[Organisation of Islamic Cooperation|OIC]] Permanent Representatives, particularly India, China".<ref name="NDTV" />
==U.S. views on Indian politicians==
=== Rahul Gandhi===
Various diplomatic cables from the U.S. Embassy in India show an evolving U.S. view of Rahul Gandhi. In late 2007, U.S. diplomats described him, "widely viewed as an empty suit and will have to prove wrong those who dismiss him as a lightweight. To do so he will have to demonstrate determination, depth, savvy and stamina. He will need to get his hands dirty in the untidy and ruthless business that is Indian politics." Other cables say that Gandhi was politically inexperienced, made repeated mistakes, and refer to criticisms of him by "political analysts and journalists". His relations with the U.S. improved over time. In November 2009, after a meeting with the U.S. ambassador, he has described as "an elusive contact in the past" but now "clearly interested in reaching out to the [U.S. government]". A cable from February 2010 describes him as "increasingly sure-footed".<ref>{{cite news| author=Burke, Jason| author-link=Jason Burke| url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/dec/16/wikileaks-rahul-gandhi-warned-us-hindu-extremism|title=WikiLeaks Cables: Rahul Gandhi Warned US of Hindu Extremist Threat - Scion of India's Leading Political Family Told Ambassador Radicalised Hindu Groups Could Create Religious Tension and Political Confrontation|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=16 December 2010|accessdate=17 December 2010|location=London}}</ref>
===Narendra Modi===
A cable dated 2 November 2006 from Michael S. Owen, the U.S. Consul General in Mumbai, indicated that he wanted to reach out to then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, following the U.S. denying him a visa in 2005. In his appraisal of Modi, Owen wrote, "Modi has successfully branded himself as a non-corrupt, effective administrator, as a facilitator of business in a state with a deep commercial culture, and as a no-nonsense, law-and-order politician who looks after the interests of the Hindu majority."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/incorruptible-in-wikileaks-narendra-modi-smiles/766153/|title='Incorruptible' in WikiLeaks, Narendra Modi smiles - Indian Express}}</ref>
==Foreign relations==
===India-Pakistan relations===
{{See also|India–Pakistan relations}}
The U.S. conducted its own secret analysis of India's military contingency plans, which are codenamed [[Cold Start (military doctrine)|Cold Start]].<ref name="guardian1">{{cite news|author=Leigh, David|author-link=David Leigh (journalist)|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/nov/30/wikileaks-cables-pakistan-nuclear-fears|title=WikiLeaks Cables Expose Pakistan Nuclear Fears - US and UK Diplomats Warn of Terrorists Getting Hold of Fissile Material and of Pakistan-India Nuclear Exchange |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=30 November 2010 |accessdate=13 December 2010 |location=London}}</ref> India has said that if sufficiently provoked, it would mount a rapid invasion of Pakistan. The U.S. said in a cable that it highly doubted the [[Indian Army]] was capable of doing so: "It is the collective judgment of the mission that India would likely encounter very mixed results. Indian forces could have significant problems consolidating initial gains due to logistical difficulties and slow reinforcement".<ref name="guardian1"/> However, Roemer warned that for India to launch the Cold Start doctrine, would be to "roll the nuclear dice". It could trigger the world's first use of nuclear weapons since the [[atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki]].<ref name="guardian1"/> Indian leaders no doubt realize that, although Cold Start is designed to punish Pakistan in a limited manner without triggering a nuclear response, the Indians cannot be sure whether Pakistani leaders will in fact refrain from such a response".<ref name="guardian1"/> To counter the Indian doctrine, U.S. diplomats in Islamabad were told Pakistan was working on producing smaller, tactical nuclear weapons such as [[nuclear artillery]] that could be used on the battlefield against Indian troops.<ref name="guardian1"/>
===India-Tibet relations===
[[Shivshankar Menon]], the current Indian national security advisor said, though "the Tibetan movement has the sympathy of the Indian public, and India has been a generally supportive home to tens of thousands of Tibetans, including the [[Dalai Lama]], for nearly 50 years, the tacit agreement that Tibetans are welcome in India as long as they don't cause problems is being challenged".<ref>{{cite news| author=Burke, Jason| author-link=Jason Burke| url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/dec/16/wikileaks-dalai-lama-climate-change|title=WikiLeaks Cables: Dalai Lama Called for Focus on Climate, Not Politics, in Tibet - Exiled Buddhist Leader Told US Ambassador to India That 'Political Agenda Should Be Sidelined' in Favour of Climate Issues.india is friendly country of tibet
|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=16 December 2010|accessdate=17 December 2010|location=London}}</ref>
===Bahrain-India relations===
{{See also|Bahrain–India relations}}
[[Bahrain]]'s [[Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifa|King Hamad]] holds a positive view of India and urged the U.S. to use India's help in Afghanistan. He considers India as a positive force in the region.<ref>Copy of diplomatic cable dated 4 November 2009 (29 November 2010). [https://web.archive.org/web/20101203024217/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/wikileaks-cablegate-bahrains-king-hamad-on-indias-role-in-afghanistan/136082-53.html "Wikileaks Cablegate: Bahrain's King Hamad on India's Role in Afghanistan"]. ''[[IBN Live]]''. Retrieved 13 December 2010.</ref>
===Bid for permanent UNSC seat===
{{see also|India and the United Nations}}
A U.S. State Department cable called India a "self-appointed frontrunner for permanent [[United Nations Security Council|UNSC]] seat". However, despite the criticisms, the U.S. remains supportive of India's bid for a seat in the U.N., along with that of Japan, Brazil and Germany.<ref name="NDTV">{{cite web|author=Staff writer|author-link=Staff writer|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/wikileaks-revelations/wikileaks-hillary-called-india-self-appointed-frontrunner-for-permanent-unsc-seat-69388|title=WikiLeaks: Hillary Called India 'Self-Appointed Frontrunner for Permanent UNSC Seat'|work=[[NDTV]] |date=30 November 2010 |accessdate=30 November 2010}}</ref>
==Terrorism==
===2008 Mumbai attacks===
The [[Indian National Congress]] (INC) tried to use the conspiracy theories behind the [[2008 Mumbai attacks]], targeting its main political rival, the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP), to gain support of the Indian Muslim community for the [[2009 Indian general election|2009 general elections]]. The INC cynically pulled back from its original dismissal and lent credence to the conspiracy. The cable alleged, "The entire episode demonstrates that the Congress Party will readily stoop to the old caste/religious-based politics if it feels it is in its interest."<ref>Copy of diplomatic cable dated 23 December 2008 (10 December 2010). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/184566 "US Embassy Cables: Mumbai Conspiracy Allegations 'Outrageous' – US Ambassador"]. ''[[The Guardian]]''. Retrieved 13 December 2010.</ref>
===Hindu extremism===
[[Rahul Gandhi]], son of [[Sonia Gandhi]] and president of the [[Indian National Congress]] (INC)&nbsp;, in a conversation with [[Timothy J. Roemer]], then [[United States Ambassador to India|U.S. Ambassador to India]], said that he believes [[Hindu]] extremists pose a greater threat to his country than Muslim terrorists. Gandhi referred specifically to figures in the INC's main political rival, the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP). Also responding to the ambassador's query about the activities in the region by the Pakistan-based Islamist militant organisation [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]] (LeT), Gandhi said there was evidence of some support for the group among certain elements in India's [[Islam in India|indigenous Muslim population]].<ref name=GuardianBurkeKashmirtorture16December>{{cite news| author=Burke, Jason| author-link=Jason Burke|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/dec/16/wikileaks-cables-indian-torture-kashmir |title=WikiLeaks Cables: India Accused of Systematic Use of Torture in Kashmir&nbsp;– Beatings and Electric Shocks Inflicted on Hundreds of Civilians Detained in Kashmir, US Diplomats in Delhi Told by ICRC|date=16 December 2010|accessdate=17 December 2010|location=London|work=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Copy of diplomatic cable dated 3 August 2009| url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/219238|title=US Embassy Cables: Ambassador Warned That Radical Hindu Groups May Pose Bigger Threat Than LeT in India|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=16 December 2010|accessdate=17 December 2010|location=London}}</ref>
===Lashkar-e-Taiba assassination plot===
Seven months after the 2008 Mumbai attacks, [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]] had plans to assassinate then Gujarat Chief Minister [[Narendra Modi]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Mohan|first=Vishwa |date=6 December 2010|title=Lashkar Planned To Kill Narendra Modi: Wikileaks|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/Lashkar-planned-to-kill-Narendra-Modi-Wikileaks/articleshow/7051726.cms|publisher=[[Times News Network]] (via [[The Economic Times]])|accessdate=13 December 2010}}</ref>
===Counter-terrorism coordination===
"India's fiercely independent foreign-policy stance, its traditional go-it-alone strategy toward its security, and its domestic political sensitivities over the sentiments of its large Muslim population, have all contributed to India's caution in working with us on a joint counter-terrorism strategy. While India has been very keen to receive information and technology from us to further its counter-terrorism efforts, it provides little in return."<ref name=Guardiancopycable23Feb2007>{{cite news| author=Copy of diplomatic cable dated 23 February 2007| url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/97802|title=US Embassy Cables: India a Diffident Ally in the 'War on Terror' - US|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=16 December 2010|accessdate=17 December 2010|location=London}}</ref>
Acting coordinator for counter-terrorism, Frank Urbancic, described India's police and security forces as "overworked and hampered by bad police practices, including the wide-spread use of torture in interrogations, rampant corruption, poor training, and a general inability to conduct solid forensic investigations."<ref name=Guardiancopycable23Feb2007/>
===Maoist violence in India===
The cables leaked speculate that the [[Naxalite–Maoist insurgency]] in India is not dependent on foreign support.<ref>[[Staff writer]] (18 December 2010). [http://headlinesindia.mapsofindia.com/burning-issues-news/wikileaks/wikileaks-maoists-not-getting-support-from-outside-india-70820.html "WikiLeaks: Maoists Not Getting Support from Outside India"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714033409/http://headlinesindia.mapsofindia.com/burning-issues-news/wikileaks/wikileaks-maoists-not-getting-support-from-outside-india-70820.html|date=14 July 2011}}. ''[[Headlines India]]''. Retrieved 21 December 2010.</ref>
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* [https://wikileaks.org/cablegate.html Secret US Embassy Cables] by ''[[WikiLeaks]]''
{{WikiLeaks}}
{{India–United States relations}}
[[Category:United States diplomatic cables leak]]
[[Category:United States documents]]
[[Category:India–United States relations]]
[[Category:2010 in India]]
[[Category:Manmohan Singh administration]]
[[Category:1984 anti-Sikh riots]]
[[Category:Corruption in India]]
[[Category:CIA activities in Asia]]
[[Category:Rahul Gandhi]]
[[Category:Narendra Modi]]
[[Category:India–Pakistan relations]]
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[[Category:India–Tibet relations]]
[[Category:India and the United Nations]]
[[Category:2008 Mumbai attacks]]
[[Category:Hindu nationalism]]
[[Category:Lashkar-e-Taiba]]
[[Category:Counterterrorism in India]]
[[Category:Naxalite–Maoist insurgency]]