MEDIA REACTION: INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 001717 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: INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS, DETENTION OF SHAH RUKH KHAN, INDIA-CHINA 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. -------------- INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS -------------- ¶1. "USED TO BEING CHEATED," commentary in August 14 right-of-center Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "The Pakistanis must be laughing at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's borrowed formulation that we must adopt a "trust but verify" approach to our relations with their country. Our politicians only trust and our armed forces pay for it by sacrificing their lives." -------------- DETENTION OF SHAH RUKH KHAN -------------- ¶2. "DEATAINED BECAUSE OF NAME?" editorial in August 17 centrist Gujarati daily, DIVYA BHASKAR: "There is hullaballoo in India even as America has clarified that actor Shah Rukh Khan was not detained because of his 'Khan' last name. After 9/11, America is paranoid about Muslim names; hence, such episodes recur there. But there is a need to change the mentality of Indians who blow up at the slightest provocation in matters pertaining to celebrities and other VIPs. We need to learn from the fact that even American presidents and British prime ministers do not get any special treatment once they exit office." ¶3. "AMERICA'S ILL-WILL," editorial in August 17 left- of-center Marathi daily, AAPLA MAHANAGAR: "Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan's ill-treatment at the Newark airport speaks of typical American arrogance that one has seen in earlier instances. It is the same characteristic American conceit that was observed in the insult flung at India's former president by an American airline. The American consulate in Mumbai is also notorious for a similar conceited attitude. Their recent visa denials to renowned folk singer Vithal Umap are quite abrupt. America has lost its sense of perspective post 9/11. It views the world with suspicion." ¶4. "STERN STAND ON SHAH RUKH ISSUE NEEDED," editorial in August 17 right-of-center Urdu daily, RASHTRIYA SAHARA: "The U.S. administration has always adopted a bigoted attitude against Asian people. Prejudice against Muslims has accelerated in America and Western countries after 9/11. The detention of Shah Rukh Khan and other similar incidents show the ground realities have not changed despite the remarks of President Obama who wishes to forge a better relationship with the Islamic world. Why do we give special privilege to American actors, artists and sportspersons at Indian airports?" NEW DELHI 00001717 002 OF 002 ¶5. "PAIN OF BEING A KHAN," editorial in August 17 right-of-center Urdu daily, HINDUSTAN EXPRESS: "America is the world's super power but that doesn't mean it can humiliate our politicians and stars. The detention of Shah Rukh Khan at a U.S. airport is the humiliation of India. Be it Bush or Obama, America's mentality is generally against Indians and particularly against Muslims. India is a noble and honorable country and it won't do the same to American personalities. But we let our displeasure be known so that such humiliation may not occur again." -------------- INDIA-CHINA RELATIONS -------------- ¶6. "DEALING WITH CHINA'S CHALLENGE," op-ed in August 16 right-of-center Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "Indian strategists should accept the bitter truth underlined by Navy Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta that India cannot match China's military force. India should enhance its military power and reduce China's growing interference in the Indian Ocean. It should strengthen bilateral diplomatic, economic and cultural relations and establish more and more individual contacts. It should also reinforce relations with the U.S., Russia, Japan and other East Asian countries." ¶7. "CHINESE THINK-TANK'S PLAN TO SPLINTER INDIA," editorial in August 15 nationalist Hindi daily, VIR ARJUN: "The 13th round of India-China boundary talks ended without a significant progress because of China's tenacious attitude. India should have raised important issues, like China's blind support to Pakistan, especially in defense and nuclear sectors. Another worrisome thing is a Chinese strategist writing that China, jointly with Pakistan, Nepal and Bhutan, should split India into 20-30 pieces. He writes if China tries just a little the great India federation can be dismembered and suggests China to, especially, support ULFA in attaining Assam's Independence." ROEMER