MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-INDIA RELATIONS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 002231

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: U.S.-INDIA RELATIONS,
AFGHANISTAN POST-ELECTIONS, AFGHANISTAN-INDIA,
PAKISTAN, WAR AGAINST TERRORISM; 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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U.S.-INDIA RELATIONS
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1. "CLOSENESS WITH THE U.S.," op-ed in November 5 Hindi
daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "U.S. Ambassador to India Timothy
Roemer recently said the U.S.-India relationship today
is very different from what it was even a few years
back. Not only Mr. Roemer, but even President Obama and
his predecessor George Bush have expressed such cordial
views of late. The U.S. and India were drawn apart
during the Cold War, but warmth came in during the time
of President Clinton, and it peaked after the signing
of the U.S.-India nuclear agreement. The way the Bush
Administration held India's hand through the IAEA and
NSG clearances, only a good friend will do. When George
Bush left, India feared that the Democrats may
reconsider the Republicans' approach and there might be
a slump in relations. But President Obama reinvigorated
the relationship with his warm gestures -- celebrating
Deepawali, honoring Mahatma Gandhi and calling PM
Manmohan Singh a part of his family. All these things
are indicative of a burgeoning economic and defense
relationship. The U.S.-India joint defense exercises in
Agra and Babina last month are indicative of the
understanding and partnership that both countries have
forged. During these exercises, the United States made
it clear that it is ready to support India's drive to
modernize its armed forces. It may be America's
compulsion to support Pakistan, but deep inside it
knows the place of India in the global fight against
terrorism. India needs to spruce up its defense given
the aggressive attitude of China. India also needs to
launch a war against Pakistan-originated terrorism, and
India cannot do this on its own."

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AFGHANISTAN POST-ELECTIONS
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2. "KARZAI'S CHALLENGES," editorial in November 4
centrist NAVBHARAT TIMES Hindi daily: "President
Karzai's biggest challenge is to rein in corruption and
give the Afghan people at least their right to live a
secure life. U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan are
finding it tough to maintain their soldiers' presence.
The huge money they are doling out in Afghanistan is
sadly going to the provincial chieftains who are
backing Karzai, and not the common man."


3. "QUESTIONABLE VICTORY," editorial in November 4
centrist Hindi daily, DAINIK HINDUSTAN: "In his
previous administration, Karzai did not live up to the
expectations of the Western countries. The U.S. wants
to vacate Afghanistan, but there should at least be a

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working government there. By all indications, America
will now tighten its purse strings, and persuade Karzai
to tighten his act."

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AFGHANISTAN-INDIA
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4. "INDIA SHOULD TAKE INITIATIVE FOR REGIONAL
SECURITY,"
article in November 5 Guwahati Assamese left-of-center
ASAMIYA PRATIDIN: "A pre-9/11 situation is likely to
return if the U.S., Britain and other NATO countries
decide to initiate talks with the Taliban following the
suggestion by their military experts. Should the
Taliban regime stage a comeback in Afghanistan India
may also face a new security challenge. Resurgence of
the Taliban power vis-`-vis the presence of a strong
Western military alliance will create more conflicts
and more security problems in South and Central Asia.
India should take the initiative to build larger
regional security cooperation with the help of China,
Russia, Iran and other central Asian countries in its
own interest."

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PAKISTAN
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5. "NOW TALIBANISTAN?" commentary in November 2 Bengali
bimonthly DESH: "If Pakistan thinks that its problems
of containing Taliban terrorism will be resolved by
solely relying on the U.S. that will be too far-
fetched. Pakistan is actually running the risk of
losing its sovereignty either to the Taliban militia or
to the U.S. military. Pakistan will have to depend on
the strength of its own army and government to save the
people. Otherwise, Pakistan will soon become
'Talibanistan'."

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WAR AGAINST TERRORISM
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6. "IS MUMBAI PROTECTED AGAINST A FRESH TERRORIST
ATTACK?" editorial in left-of-center Marathi daily,
AAPLA MAHANAGAR: "How equipped are Mumbai police to
deal with terrorist forces in the event of any
terrorist onslaught in the future? Considering the
hordes of unauthorized entrants in the city, coupled
with active underworld miscreants, the police are
visibly unable to keep tabs on nefarious networks, even
with the best of intentions. It is time for citizens to
realize this fact and deal with it intelligently."
ROEMER