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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 NEW DELHI 002918 
 
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. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION- 
OBAMA'S VICTORY, U.S.-INDIA RELATIONS, INDIA-CHINA 
RELATIONS; NEW DELHI-NOVEMBER 13-14, 2008. 
 
This cable reports on relevant media reaction from 
India's large non-English press. Embassy New Delhi 
reports on English-language media via email in the daily 
"Early Edition".  USG customers please write to Geeta 
Krishali (KrishaliG@state.gov) to subscribe to the "Early 
Edition." 
 
-------------------------------------------- 
U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION - OBAMA'S VICTORY 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
¶1. "OBAMA AND INDIA: OBAMA'S NAIVE VIEW ON KASHMIR" op-ed 
article by guest columnist and retired air vice marshall 
P.L. Purohit in the November 13, 2008, Mumbai edition of 
centrist Marathi daily SAKAAL. "Unfortunately, Barack 
Obama's understanding of the Kashmir issue is based on 
some half-truths and politically naove observations. 
Obama has remarked that resolving the Kashmir conflict 
would enable Pakistan to focus on militants on its soil 
and across its border with Afghanistan rather than on 
India, its traditional foe. This is not a very sound view 
because Pakistan is used to deploying terrorism as a 
means to achieve its political agenda against India. Also 
Pakistan treats the Taliban as a tool to extend its 
`strategic depth' in Afghanistan. Pakistan does not want 
a democratically-elected sound administration in 
Afghanistan, which is why it dutifully strengthens 
Taliban over there. And most importantly, Obama fails to 
see the fact that Pakistan (and also China) wishes to 
derail India's economic rise and therefore continues to 
support and sponsor Islamic militants in Kashmir. 
Unfortunately, Obama does not see these truths and his 
statements have been naturally welcomed by the Islamic 
hardliners in Pakistan. Unlike India which has rejected 
America's intervention in Kashmir, these extremist 
elements will certainly lap up Obama's recent remarks..." 
Similar editorial appeared in the November 13, 2008, 
Mumbai edition of left-of-center Marathi daily APLA 
MAHANAGAR. 
 
¶2. "OBAMA CHARMS ALL, AMERICANS SHOW NO INTEREST IN 
ECONOMIC SUMMIT" New York dispatch by Assistant Editor 
Sutirtha Chakrabarty in November 14 pro-Left Kolkata 
Bengali SAMBAD PRATIDIN.  "The heads of 20 countries in 
which two-thirds of the world's populations live are 
coming to the U.S. to discuss the economic meltdown but 
the average American is not interested in it. Rather, the 
Washington Post has splashed Delhi's jubilant reaction 
after the president-elect Obama had phoned Manmohan Singh 
on the front-page...  In reality, Americans, charmed by 
Obama, are not ready to show any interest in any 
initiative by the outgoing President who has been rated 
the worst...  The president-elect has opposed directly the 
neo-liberal policies of Milton Friedman that have always 
been followed by Reagan to Bush.  Obama has called for 
government intervention in the economy, tax imposts on 
the rich for spending on social security and relief for 
the middle class as well as for control on Wall Street... 
Bush does not like any of these recommendations...." 
 
 
NEW DELHI 00002918  002 OF 003 
 
 
¶3. "BARACK OBAMA: OUR LOSS OR GAIN" editorial-page 
article by Center for Studies in Social Sciences director 
Sugata Marjit in November 13 nationalist Kolkata Bengali 
ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA.  "...The Indian government, chambers 
of commerce, and employees in the service sector are all 
worried about the proposed protectionist policies of the 
new president (elect) to invigorate the U.S. economy. Let 
us see how these policies harm us or affect the American 
economy...  Does America have any option other than 
outsourcing?  Profiteering by American capitalists and 
the fate of India's outsourcing employees may be tied 
together...  For, if there is lesser profit from 
outsourcing, the possibility of reduction in salaries of 
Indian employees and in profit of the Indian companies 
will become stronger... But there is no question of 
stopping outsourcing.  Besides, it is yet to be proved 
whether outsourcing has led to unemployment in the U.S. 
What Obama has said in his policy may appear popular but 
it may not be useful for the economy...because the interest 
of American capitalists and common employees in call 
centers of India is close to each other...." 
 
¶4. "OBAMA MAKES HISTORY" editorial in November 7 
nationalist Bhubaneswar Oriya SAMAYA.  "...In the first 
place, Obama's victory has demolished the hitch between 
the American whites and American blacks. Obama has 
daunting tasks ahead.  Putting the economy back on the 
rail and restoring the atmosphere of global understanding 
are the first two major items in his agenda.  The world 
awaits a change.  Only his healing touch can accomplish 
this.  Indo-U.S. relations may get a boost during Obama's 
rule.  America is known to get closer to India during 
tenures of Democrat administration.  India has 
established strong links with the U.S. in recent years. 
Only time will show how Obama takes it further...." 
 
-------------------- 
U.S.-INDIA RELATIONS 
-------------------- 
 
¶5. "INDIA IN THE EYES OF THE U.S.," op-ed article in 
November 13 right-of-center DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily by 
strategic affairs specialist Brahma Chellaney: "The fact 
is that India is not Barack Obama's top priority. And he 
is yet to form a team, which decides the foreign policy 
agenda. So it is early yet to say that he will want to 
play a role on the Kashmir issue, or put pressure on 
India on nuclear nonproliferation. India has already 
brought its nuclear program under the U.S.-led nuclear 
nonproliferation scanner by signing the nuclear 
agreement. U.S. efforts to mediate on Kashmir in the past 
have only favored Pakistan.... This is Bush's legacy that 
the U.S. is implementing a parallel policy of the 
intelligence information exchange and defense cooperation 
with India and Pakistan. Even now he has taken an 
initiative to provide Pakistan with US$ 89.1-million 
worth advance F-16 fighter aircrafts, which will, 
certainly, be used against India.  Under this situation, 
is it fair to ask why India is so defensive on Kashmir? 
Even if the U.S. appoints a special envoy on Kashmir, 
 
NEW DELHI 00002918  003 OF 003 
 
 
what more can he demand that weak Manmohan Singh has not 
already offered?" 
 
¶6. "PRIME MINISTER'S EXPLANATION," editorial in November 
12 nationalist RASHTRIYA SAHARA Hindi daily: "Prime 
Minister Manmohan Singh has clarified that U.S. 
President-elect Barack Obama tried to call him, but the 
contact could not establish as Singh was traveling and a 
convenient time could not be arranged for a call.... 
Certainly, during travel it is not possible to talk. At 
the same time, however, India shouldn't suffer from an 
inferiority complex. So what even if Obama did not call 
our PM? We should have not made an issue out of it. A 
nation, which the entire world considers a future 
superpower and strengthening relations with it is now the 
top agenda of the topmost countries' foreign policies, 
should not make a prestige issue out of such small 
things. It is foolishness and immaturity. In fact, it 
just shows India's internal weakness." 
 
--------------------- 
INDIA-CHINA RELATIONS 
--------------------- 
 
¶7. "CHINA'S DOGMATIC PATH" editorial in the November 14, 
2008, Mumbai edition of left-of-center Marathi daily 
MAHARASHTRA TIMES.  "China often makes claims on the 
border state of Arunachal Pradesh, and India has rebuffed 
the claim consistently. A small and not-so-influential 
section of Chinese leadership feels the need to develop 
friendly ties with India and explore all possibilities of 
economic co-operation. Making peace with India serves 
China's strategic interests in Asia as well. It 
strengthens China against the U.S., which is actually 
China's main adversary. However, the doctrinaire Maoists 
in China are unable to adopt a friendly stance vis-`-vis 
India. They are victims of their own rigidity, which 
explains their periodical refrain of Arunachal Pradesh..." 
MULFORD