MEDIA REACTION: INDIAN MINISTER CHIDAMBARAM'S

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 NEW DELHI 001879 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: 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. -------------- INDIAN MINISTER CHIDAMBARAM'S VISIT TO US -------------- ¶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." -------------- INDIA-RUSSIA RELATIONS -------------- ¶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." -------------- SINO-INDIA RELATIONS -------------- ¶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. -------------- INDIA-CHINA TENSIONS -------------- ¶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." -------------- WTO TALKS -------------- ¶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." -------------- JAPAN ELECTIONS -------------- ¶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 ROEMER