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

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 002377 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: 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. -------------- PM SINGH'S VISIT TO U.S. -------------- ¶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 NEW DELHI 00002377 002 OF 002 Obama. Otherwise, India may have to pay a heavy price in future." -------------- 26/11 MUMBAI TERROR ATTACKS -------------- ¶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." WHITE