MEDIA REACTION: SECSTATE INDIA VISIT, INDO-PAK

UNCLAS NEW DELHI 001538 SIPDIS STATE FOR NP, AC, PM STATE FOR INR/MR STATE FOR SCA/INS, PM/CBM, PM/PRO STATE FOR SCA/PPD, PA/RRU STATE FOR AID/APRE-A USDOC FOR 4530/IEP/ANESA/OSA FOR BILL MURPHY E.O. 12958:N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO PGOV PREL IN SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: SECSTATE INDIA VISIT, INDO-PAK RELATIONS; NEW DELHI. This countrywide cable reports on relevant media reaction/opinion from India's large non-English press. The Mission reports on English-language media via email through the daily "Early Edition" summary. -------------- SECSTATE INDIA VISIT -------------- ¶1. "NEW MILESTONE IN RELATIONS," editorial in July 23 Hindi daily, RASHTRIYA SAHARA: "The agreements finalized during the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit to India can be defined as a new milestone in U.S.-India relations. No doubt there are differences over enrichment and reprocessing, but on the whole bilateral ties have been strengthened. On the end user pact, it is natural to be concerned about U.S. surveillance. But inspections in the trade of sensitive military equipment is normal. And moreover, surveillance here means making sure there is no transfer of the technology to a third country. This pact opens the door for India to much-needed weapon technology." ¶2. "STRATEGIC AGREEMENT," editorial in July 23 Hindi daily, NAI DUNIYA: "Even after 62 years of its independence, India is not independent in the defense sector, and other nations are trying hard to make billions from India. The strategic U.S.-India agreements have paved the way for such defense deals. The U.S. has been preparing the ground for the last few months to sell fighter planes, helicopters and nuclear reactors, etc. to India. Hillary Clinton and S.M. Krishna signed the end-user agreement, which will make it easy for the U.S. companies to sell equipment worth billions to India, but opening India to U.S. inspections!" -------------- INDO-PAK RELATIONS -------------- ¶3. "THIS TIME BALUCHISTAN," editorial in July 24 independent Kolkata Bengali daily, ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA: "There is no more time to play with fire. India complains, Pakistan denies; Pakistan complains, India denies. In the midst of this, terrorism continues. Islamabad must be compelled to make a commitment to curb terrorism by any means. India should remain steadfast in following diplomatic norms and avoid unnecessary arguments." ¶4. "THE 26/11 TRIAL AND EXPECTED JUSTICE," editorial in July 24 centrist Marathi daily, SAKAAL: "It is quite clear that the process of delivering justice in the Mumbai terror attack case is indeed a difficult one. This trial is a very crucial and defining moment in Mumbai's life. If the guilty go free due to lack of evidence, India will lose face internationally." WHITE