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. -------------- U.S.-INDIA RELATIONS -------------- ¶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." -------------- AFGHANISTAN POST-ELECTIONS -------------- ¶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 NEW DELHI 00002231 002 OF 002 working government there. By all indications, America will now tighten its purse strings, and persuade Karzai to tighten his act." -------------- AFGHANISTAN-INDIA -------------- ¶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." -------------- PAKISTAN -------------- ¶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'." -------------- WAR AGAINST TERRORISM -------------- ¶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