So what does Cable 219238 tell us about elusive Crown Prince Rahul and his potential as an American Contact ?

[Nagarjuna]

So what does Cable 219238 tell us about elusive Crown Prince Rahul and
his potential as a ( "promising" new generation of young Indian
parliamentarians suitable as American Contacts ?
It sure seems reaching out right to the top with "a thoughtful,
politically sensitive and strategic approach on our part" is the
safest bet for Yankees peddling influence !!! The future is BRIGHT.
Nagarjuna

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/219238
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/interactive/2010/nov/28/us-embassy-cables-wikileaks
http://www.wikileaks.ch/cablegate.html

http://twitter.com/wikileaks

Also an interesting exchange on Tibet and Climate Issues :

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/16/wikileaks-dalai-lama-climate-change?intcmp=239

Link to download full cable archives : Click here to download full
site in single archive.

Monday, 03 August 2009, 14:29
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 001624
SIPDIS
EO 12958 DECL: 08/03/2019
TAGS PREL, PGOV, IN
SUBJECT: REACHING OUT TO RAHUL GANDHI AND OTHER YOUNG
PARLIAMENTARIANS
REF: SECTO 0008
Classified By: AMB Timothy J. Roemer. Reasons 1.4 (B, D)
Summary

1. In a review of the career and potential of Rahul Gandhi, 40-year
old heir apparent to the leadership of India's ruling Congress party,
the US ambassador reports conversations with the young politician,
speaking appreciatively of recent statements and potential for the
future. Key passages highlighted in yellow.

1. (C) Summary: In a candid conversation with the Ambassador during
the July 20 lunch hosted by Prime Minister Singh for the Secretary,
Indian Congress Party General Secretary Rahul Gandhi described his
focus on upcoming state and local elections, expressed concerns
regarding the challenges surrounding the UPA coalition's ability to
implement its programs, and speculated about radicalization among
Hindus and Muslims. Gandhi was interested in engaging with the
Ambassador and could become a key interlocutor, along with other young
members of Parliament, as we pursue a Strategic Dialogue with India.
End Summary.

2. (C) During the Secretary's July 20 meetings in New Delhi (see
reftel), Prime Minister Singh hosted a lunch in honor of the
Secretary. Among the invitees was Indian Congress Party General
Secretary Rahul Gandhi, as well as other prominent figures from
politics, business and civil society. Gandhi, who was seated next to
the Ambassador, shared his views on a range of political topics,
social challenges, and electoral issues for the Congress Party in the
next five years.

Rural Strategy

----

3. (C) Gandhi stressed that his focus in the upcoming months would be
on state assembly elections in Maharashtra and party building efforts
at the local level. He was busy trying to recruit more appealing
candidates to run for Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) positions
nationwide. Gandhi's focus was on finding younger party members who
would not carry some of the baggage of older Congress candidates. He
aimed at rebuilding party structures in small towns and rural areas to
attract voters and believed the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party
(BJP) was vulnerable there. He did not seem to be as focused on
electoral efforts in bigger cities, such as Delhi and Mumbai.

Honeymoon is Over

----

4. (C) Noting that the Congress Party victory in this past spring's
parliamentary elections had put the United Progressive Alliance (UPA)
government in a comfortable position, Gandhi still expressed concerns
about the numerous challenges regarding the UPA's ability to implement
its programs in Parliament. He said that the honeymoon period had
been short and he now expected the BJP and Left Parties would be
unrelenting critics of the government's program. Speaking while the
budget session of Parliament was ongoing, Gandhi touched on the
difficulties in keeping the UPA coalition on the right track. (Note:
This conversation took place before the full scope of opposition to
the July 16 Indo-Pakistani joint statement in Sharm el Sheikh had
become apparent. End Note.)

Creeping Radicalization?

----

5. (C) Responding to the Ambassador's query about Lashkar-e-Taiba's
activities in the region and immediate threat to India, Gandhi said
there was evidence of some support for the group among certain
elements in India's indigenous Muslim community. However, Gandhi
warned, the bigger threat may be the growth of radicalized Hindu
groups, which create religious tensions and political confrontations
with the Muslim community. (Comment: Gandhi was referring to the
tensions created by some of the more polarizing figures in the BJP
such as Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.) The risk of a "home-
grown" extremist front, reacting to terror attacks coming from
Pakistan or from Islamist groups in India, was a growing concern and
one that demanded constant attention.

Comment

----

6. (C) Gandhi was forthright in describing the challenges faced by the
Congress Party and the UPA government in the months ahead. Over the
past four years, he was an elusive contact, but he could be interested
in reaching out to the United States, given a thoughtful, politically
sensitive and strategic approach on our part. We will seek other
opportunities to engage with him and with other promising

NEW DELHI 00001624 002 OF 002

young members of the new generation of parliamentarians. Gandhi
mentioned that in the recent election 60 members of the new Parliament
were 45 or younger. In a system long viewed as relatively static, the
influx of new faces and the rising profile of young leaders like Rahul
Gandhi provides us an opening to expand the constituency in support of
the strategic partnership with a long term horizon.

ROEMER