MEDIA REACTION: INDIA-JAPAN RELATIONS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 000004

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E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO PGOV PREL IN
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: INDIA-JAPAN RELATIONS,
TERRORISM, AFGHANISTAN; NEW DELHI.

This countrywide cabe 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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INDIA-JAPAN RELATIONS
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1. "NATURAL PARTNERS," op-ed in December 31, 2009,
Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "Japan's Hatoyama's
government has put Washington on notice that Japan
cannot indefinitely remain a faithful servant of U.S.
policies. With Tokyo seeking to rework a 2006 basing
deal with the U.S., Japan no longer can be regarded as
a constant in America's Asia policy. Against this
background, New Delhi must be pleased that Hatoyama's
visit to India last week signals continuity in Tokyo's
India policy."


2. "INDIA-JAPAN TIES," op-ed in December 31, 2009,
Hindi daily RASHTRIYA SAHARA: "In New Delhi last week,
Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama expressed the
hope that India would sign the CTBT, fuelling the
suspicion that he was advocating America's line. PM
Manmohan Singh rightly told Hatoyama that any Indian
accession to the CTBT would have to await American and
Chinese ratification.... It is unlikely that Hatoyama
came as America's salesman. The U.S. does not need
anyone to push its case with India, given the
unprecedented strong ties between the two countries."

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TERRORISM
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3. "INDIA'S SECURITY CHALLENGES," op-ed in January 1
Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "Although terror groups
tried their best to foment trouble between India and
Pakistan, there was no Mumbai type attack in 2009 which
could have exacerbated tensions between the two
nations. On the China front too, despite tempers
running high on the border issue, things cooled down by
the year-end. 2010 will be a more challenging year for
India, with the likelihood of increased terror activism
from Pakistani soil. At the same time, 2011 will
require India to gear up for the strategic challenges
arising after America's exit from the Afghanistan-
Pakistan region.... Acquiring greater military strength
will earn us an equal status with China."


4. "AMERICA TARNISIHING INDIA'S IMAGE USING TERRORISM
AS RUSE," editorial in January 2 centrist Gujarati
daily, GUJARATMITRA. "America's intermittent travel
advisories and warnings about possible terrorist
attacks in India are aimed at tarnishing India's image
rather than serving any positive purpose. Do other
countries issue such warning about the U.S.
highlighting the twin tower attacks? After all,
America faces terror threats too, as was revealed by
the Northwest airline incident."

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5. "2010 AND TERRORISM," editorial in January 1 right-
of-center Gujarati daily, GUJARAT SAMACHAR. "If there
is a one issue bothering nation-states the most at the
beginning of 2010, it is terrorism. Though America and
other allied nations have been at war with terror, they
haven't been able to arrest its spread. Afghanistan
and Iraq are a case in point. Even in India extremist
violence, unleashed by Naxalism on the home front along
with Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, has been bleeding
India through a thousand cuts."


6. "WHEN WILL MUMBAI'S COASTLINE BE SECURE AND SAFE?"
op-ed article in January 2 centrist Marathi daily,
SAKAAL: "Despite the passage of a year after the
devastating 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, hardly any
decisive effort has been made to secure the coastline.
Mumbai continues to be exposed to Islamic terror, which
might enter the city from the seas. Both unauthorized
infiltrators and unlicensed weapons can wreak havoc in
Mumbai at any point in time. Mumbai and India cannot
afford another terrorist strike."

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AFGHANISTAN
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7. "INVESTIGATION REPORT OF AFGHANISTAN GOVERNMENT,"
editorial in January 1 right-of-center Urdu daily
RASHTRIYA SAHARA: "Reacting to an Afghanistan
government report which reveals that the US and allied
forces killed ten Afghan nationals, Afghan students
have threatened to take to the gun if the government
fails to stop such incidents. The U.S. should not take
this threat lightly. If America's inhuman activities
and barbarism are not checked, Afghan youth may join
the Taliban or Al-Qaeda."


8. "ATTACK ON AMERICAN MILITARY BASE IN AFGHANISTAN,"
editorial in January 3 right-of-center Urdu daily
MUNSIF: "The sorry state of Afghanistan is evident from
a government report which reveals that U.S. and allied
forces killed ten innocent Afghans, including eight
school children. President Obama came into power by
raising the slogan of change, but he is repeating the
same mistakes committed by his predecessors. America
and its allies should withdraw their forces from
Afghanistan before more innocents die."
ROEMER