MEDIA REACTION: INDIAN MINISTER CHIDAMBARAM'S

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 NEW DELHI 001879

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E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO PGOV PREL IN
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: INDIAN MINISTER CHIDAMBARAM'S
VISIT TO US, INDIA-RUSSIA RELATIONS, SINO-INDIA
RELATIONS, INDIA-CHINA TENSIONS, WTO TALKS, JAPAN
ELECTIONS; 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.

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INDIAN MINISTER CHIDAMBARAM'S VISIT TO US
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1. "NATURAL ASSESSMENT," editorial in September 8
right-of-center Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "A
discussion on Pakistan's promises and will to eliminate
terrorism is natural during Indian Home Minister P.C.
Chidambaram's forthcoming visit to the U.S. But it is
difficult to say if the U.S. will seriously do
something to stem the tide of terrorism emanating from
Pakistani soil. The U.S. is blissfully overlooking the
fact that Pakistan is using American aid against
India."

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INDIA-RUSSIA RELATIONS
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2. "RUSSIA-AMERICA RELATIONS: NOT RESET," op-ed article
by Dr Ashok Modak in September 9 leftist Marathi daily,
AAPLA MAHANAGAR: "For all the talk of 'reset button
diplomacy,' President Barack Obama's visit to Russia
did not have a lasting impact, nor did it take the
bilateral partnership any further. The US and Russia
took some baby steps in agreeing to reduce their
gargantuan nuclear arsenals to replace the Strategic
Arms Reduction Treaty. Russia made an important
gesture in opening up its airspace to NATO soldiers and
armaments engaged in Afghan operations. But the U.S.
did not reciprocate in equal measure with regard to the
U.S. missile defense system set up in Poland and the
Czech Republic - Russia's immediate neighbors. Russia
remains infuriated over this overt threat to its
security."

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SINO-INDIA RELATIONS
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3. "CHINA'S IMPERIALISTIC INTENTIONS" editorial in
September 9 centrist Gujarati daily, JANMABHOOMI: "The
incursions by Chinese military into the Indian
territory of Leh-Ladakh region is both surprising and
shocking. China's intermittent transgressions of
territorial boundaries vis-`-vis India, its opposition
to the Asian Development Bank's approval of a loan to
India, and a recent Chinese think-tank report on
splitting India into several parts all reveal China's
imperialistic intentions. While it is known that China
is militarily superior to India, China is not able to
digest India's rising economy and her growing clout in
international affairs."


NEW DELHI 00001879 002 OF 003


Similar editorials appeared in September 9 editions of
Gujarati dailies MUMBAI SAMACHAR and GUJARATMITRA.

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INDIA-CHINA TENSIONS
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4. "COMMOTION OVER BORDER," editorial in September 8
centrist Hindi daily, DAINIK HINDUSTAN: "Although the
recent Chinese intrusion into India will not lead to a
war, there is certainly a planned strategy behind it.
Despite China's claims on India's territory, the
present border is a truth that is not likely to change.
By intruding into Jammu & Kashmir, China repeatedly
underscores India's weakness in this area, and reminds
New Delhi of Beijing's strategic partnership with
Islamabad. Neither China nor Pakistan wants India's
northwestern border to be peaceful. India has done the
right thing by not making an issue out of it, but
hopefully India will get Chinese hints and stay on
maximum alert."

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WTO TALKS
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5. "IMPORTANT SUMMIT' editorial in September 9 right-
of-center Gujarati daily, GUJARAT SAMACHAR: "While the
resumption of World Trade Organization talks is a
welcome sign, India needs to remain firm on its stand
of not compromising the interests of its farmers on the
issue of agricultural subsidies. It needs to be
mentioned here the stand taken by India's former
commerce minister Kamal Nath that eventually led to the
breakdown of WTO talks. Nath didn't buckle under
American pressure and presented the case of Indian
farmers in a skilful manner. We hope that Nath's
successor Anand Sharma will also give precedence to
India's interest in this forum."

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JAPAN ELECTIONS
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6. "CHANGE IN JAPAN" editorial in September 9 right-
of-center Gujarati daily, GUJARAT SAMACHAR: "The
splendid victory of the Democratic Party of Japan under
Yukio Hatoyama's leadership is being compared to Barack
Obama's historic election victory last year. The
recession and economic turmoil in both nations led
voters to vote for hope and change. Both the leaders
now face an uphill task in fulfilling a long-list of
expectations with which they have been burdened. The
path ahead for both leaders is thorny, compelling them
to take harsh measures if they are to save the economy
and put it back on the track. While President Obama
has not achieved much on this front in his 100 days in
office, only time will tell whether Hatoyama has the
magical stick to turn around the economy."

NEW DELHI 00001879 003 OF 003


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