MEDIA REACTION: PM SINGH'S VISIT TO U.S.,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 002377

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E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO PGOV PREL IN
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: PM SINGH'S VISIT TO U.S.,
26/11 MUMBAI TERROR ATTACKS; 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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PM SINGH'S VISIT TO U.S.
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1. "WHAT SHOULD INDIA ASK AMERICA FOR?" editorial in
November 23 centrist Hindi daily NAVBHARAT TIMES: "Both
countries want to send out the message of a strong
partnership between two big democratic forces. One
wonders, however, if anything substantive will come out
of the visit. Will the same old U.S. policy on Pakistan
and Afghanistan be perpetuated, or will the U.S. be
willing to heed India's concerns on Pakistan-originated
terrorism? It's not a one-point (civilian nuclear deal)
relationship anymore, but a multi-faceted one, but more
work needs to be done. If India and U.S. can reach some
understanding on Pakistan and terrorism during Singh's
visit, then the visit will be a success."


2. "MISPLACED EUPHORIA OVER WHITE HOUSE INVITATION,"
op-ed article in November 23 right-of-center Hindi
daily, AMAR UJALA: "Why are we going gaga-gaga over
President Barack Obama's invitation to PM Manmohan
Singh? Even before serving the dinner, the host has
poured hot water over the food. In his statement in
Beijing, he gave away the policing rights of our region
to our biggest adversary China. The euphoria over PM
Singh's ongoing U.S. trip is totally misplaced. Make no
mistake -- the U.S. loves China far more than it loves
us. There have been repeated glimpses of this
preference in the U.S. administration, since Obama
became President."


3. "LOOSE ENDS," editorial in November 23 right-of-
centrist Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "The information
extracted from David C. Headley and Tahawwur Rana and
the detention of two persons in Italy indicate that the
case of the Mumbai attacks still has many loose ends.
India's internal investigation is faulty, to say the
least. The bitter truth is that there is no pressure on
Pakistan to take action against the perpetrators of the
Mumbai attacks. The U.S. is not sincerely stepping up
pressure on Pakistan. PM Manmohan Singh should press
for this in his meeting with the U.S. President. India
has clearly failed to teach a lesson to those Pakistani
elements who attacked India's sovereignty."


4. "FACING TWO ADVERSARIES AT THE SAME TIME," editorial
in November 24 independent Kolkata Bengali ANANDABAZAR
PATRIKA: "Following evidences of Chinese incursions
into the Indian territory it would be too much to
expect China to play an impartial role. Why should
Obama during his China visit have the right to raise
the proposal without consent from Islamabad and Delhi?
America wants a Chinese mediation and it is least
bothered about its outcome. Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh must express his concerns and displeasures to

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Obama. Otherwise, India may have to pay a heavy price
in future."

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26/11 MUMBAI TERROR ATTACKS
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5. "ANNIVERSARY OF MUMBAI TERROR ATTACKS," editorial in
November 24 centrist Kolkata Bengali daily, SAMBAD
PRATIDIN: "The culprits must be punished after speedy
completion of trial. At the same time, global opinion
should be mobilized against Pakistan-perpetrated
terrorist activities."


6. "WHAT'S THIS HEADLEY CHAPTER?" op-ed in November 24
centrist Marathi daily, PRAHAR: "Every passing day
unravels a new account of David Headley's complicity in
the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. It seems as if some
forces want the entire 26/11 trial to focus only on one
person who was arrested outside Pakistan, so that
public attention is diverted from many glaring facts
about Pakistan's nefarious involvement in the 26/11
conspiracy."
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