This Article is From Nov 30, 2010

WikiLeaks: US reassures India after Clinton Cable

WikiLeaks: US reassures India after Clinton Cable
New Delhi: The US has reassured India that it "welcomes a greater global leadership role for India."

The statement by Timothy Roemer, US Ambassador to India, comes after a WikiLeaks disclosure that showed Hillary Clinton referring to India as a "self-declared frontrunner" for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). (Read - WikiLeaks: Hillary called India 'self-appointed frontrunner for permanent UNSC seat')

Clinton, who is the US Secretary of State, asks US diplomats "to ascertain deliberations regarding the UNSC expansion among key groups of countries like "self-appointed front-runners" for permanent UNSC seats -- India, Brazil, Germany and Japan.

This is part of the nearly quarter-million cables that WikiLeaks is releasing on its website in installments. Another 5000 cables relevant to India are expected to be released shortly. 

India was not flustered yesterday - government sources said President Obama had endorsed India's right to a permanent seat in his speech to the Indian Parliament during his three-day visit here earlier this month.  

Roemer also referred to Obama's trip: "During President Obama's recent visit to India, he reiterated that the relationship between the United States and India, bound by our shared interests and our shared values, will be one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century. The President's stay in India, the longest foreign trip of his Presidency to date, underscores the US commitment to a long-term strategic partnership with India."


READ ROEMER'S ENTIRE STATEMENT


US Embassy Press Release
November 30, 2010

Statement by US Ambassador Timothy J Roemer on WikiLeaks

New Delhi - We regret and condemn any unauthorized disclosures of confidential information and sensitive national security information.

By releasing these documents, WikiLeaks puts at risk the cause of human rights, the lives and work of dedicated individuals, and threatens our ability to conduct essential private and diplomatic dialogue.

President Obama supports responsible, accountable, and open government at home and around the world, but this reckless and dangerous action runs counter to that goal.  The United States Government is committed to maintaining the security of our diplomatic communications and is moving aggressively to hold accountable those responsible.

During President Obama's recent visit to India, he reiterated that the relationship between the United States and India, bound by our shared interests and our shared values, will be one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century.  The President's stay in India, the longest foreign trip of his Presidency to date, underscores the US commitment to a long term strategic partnership with India.

The United States welcomes a greater global leadership role for India and values its perspectives on how to meet common challenges, including countering terrorism, securing our maritime domains, and working together to promote democratic, political and economic development around the world.

Raja Bhattacharya
US Embassy

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