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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 NEW DELHI 000378 
 
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: BANGLADESH, US 
ECONOMY/OUTSOURCING, AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN; 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. 
 
----------- 
BANGLADESH 
----------- 
 
¶1. "DISTURBED NEIGHBORHOOD," editorial in February 28 
right-of-center DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily: "It is easy 
for India to explain away the disturbed situation in 
neighboring Bangladesh as that country's own problem. But 
is it right for India to shirk its responsibility? Being 
the biggest country in the region, it is India's 
responsibility to play an active role in the resolution 
of major crises in the region. India has failed to do so. 
To the contrary, India is viewed as a danger by its 
smaller neighbors. It is not only Pakistan but also 
Bangladesh and Nepal that see India as a threat. As for 
Sri Lanka, India has done precious little to solve that 
situation. India should not be a silent spectator because 
it is in India's own interest to resolve these crises in 
the neighborhood. India needs to be a leader, not a 
backbencher." 
 
¶2. "BDR MUTINY MIGHT PUSH BANGLADESH INTO INSTABILITY" 
editorial in the March 1, 2009 centrist Gujarati daily 
GUJARATMITRA.  "...This episode (Bangladesh) reminds us 
again that Bangladesh is sitting on a powder keg and is 
in need of imperative and stringent measures to crush the 
recurrence of such incidents...  There is a possibility 
that anti-India and pro-Pakistani forces are behind this 
mutiny.  The pro-Pakistani elements there are enraged 
over Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's cordial approach 
towards India....  Whatever the case may be, India needs to 
be on her toes since the aftershocks of such a revolt 
might spill over into India.  Besides, India also needs 
to ensure that the government of Bangladesh remains 
stable and that rogue elements there do not push the 
country into instability and anarchy." 
 
A similar editorial appeared in the February 28, 2009 
multi-edition centrist Gujarati daily DIVYA BHASKAR. 
 
¶3. "SITUATION IN BANGLADESH" editorial in March 2 
Guwahati Assamese left-of-center ASAMIYA PRATIDIN: "...The 
initial probe has revealed facts, which may have serious 
implications not only for Bangladesh but for India also ... 
Information revealed indicates that the ISI, 
fundamentalist groups and pro-Pakistan elements within 
the country may have conspired to instigate BDR mutiny to 
topple the Hasina government ... India should not play 
down the incident simply as an internal matter of 
Bangladesh... It is more important to find out which 
forces have worked behind to encourage the mutiny." 
 
¶4. "REVOLT IN BANGLADESH", editorial in MARCH 01' 2009 
issue of right-of-centre Urdu daily "RASHTRIYA SAHARA", 
New Delhi: "...there is an apprehension that the 
situation in Bangladesh may further worsen. The 
 
NEW DELHI 00000378  002 OF 004 
 
 
democratic government in Bangladesh, though has given 
harsh statements in this regard, but will they be helpful 
in cooling down the military anguish and agony? Will the 
democratic government be captured by any army general 
once again? Bangladesh is a Muslim country, apparently, 
but there seems no sign of Islam's philosophy of pardon, 
better relationship and tolerance. Killing guileless 
military personnel only because they joined BDR on 
deputation basis is an extremely inhuman and un-Islamic 
act. Welfare of Bangladesh is possible only when one and 
all have regards for humanity and human values." 
 
 
5."SITUATION IN BANGLADESH", editorial in February 28' 
2009 issue of right - to - centre Urdu daily "HAMARA 
SAMAJ", New Delhi: "This revolt by BDR personnel is an 
ill omen for new-born democracy in Bangladesh. 
Simultaneously, it was a sad incidence for India as well 
as other countries of Asia. It is rather a signal. In 
Bangladesh, which is basically, a poor country, roots of 
democracy are not too strong to face any military 
revolts... There are complaints that governments 
generally ignore demands raised by masses. Governments do 
not heed until the situation gets out of control. Whether 
it is Sheikh Haseena Wajid, or head of any other country, 
they must remember that lackadaisical attitude of 
bureaucracy has destroyed a number of countries... " 
 
---------------------- 
US ECONOMY/OUTSOURCING 
---------------------- 
 
¶6. "US INTENTIONS," editorial in February 28 NAVBHARAT 
TIMES Hindi daily: "Indian industry is disappointed at US 
decision to deny tax breaks to American companies that 
outsource work to low-cost destinations. President Barack 
Obama announced the measure during his address to the 
Joint Session of the US Congress recently. The decision 
has grave implications for India. Obama's efforts to 
bring America out of the deep hole it is in right now can 
be appreciated, but to resort to protectionism in the 
21st century is not politically correct. Obama's views on 
outsourcing were clear from the start since he repeated 
them during his election campaign. These are loaded 
against India. Obama must consider where he is leading 
America. Does he want to isolate America by resorting to 
protectionism? What if, as a consequence, China and India 
turn to the European market and start resisting the 
inflow of American goods and products? Instead of 
demonizing outsourcing, Obama should understand that 
outsourcing allows American business to stay 
competitive." 
 
¶7. "OBAMA'S ANTI-OUTSOURCING: BAD NEWS FOR THE WORLD AND 
THE U.S. TOO" editorial in the March 2, 2009, Mumbai 
edition of left-of-center Marathi daily MAHARASHTRA 
TIMES.  "President Obama's announcement to end tax breaks 
for corporations that ship jobs overseas may spell doom 
for many companies in India and China. But this anti- 
outsourcing move, which seems to have curbed some some of 
the negative sentiment that has occurred in the U.S. 
 
NEW DELHI 00000378  003 OF 004 
 
 
owing to job losses, will not bring any long-term benefit 
to the U.S.  In the globalization era, it will not be 
possible for large U.S. corporations to compete globally 
without a sourcing strategy built around finding the 
lowest cost providers.  Off-shoring is one of the most 
proven strategies to optimize costs. U.S. firms have been 
pioneers in outsourcing services and manufacturing space, 
which has resulted in enhanced competitiveness. Also, one 
cannot overlook the significant cost and complexity 
entailed in bringing outsourced services back in-house. 
Many companies have been outsourcing for decades and for 
them the cost-benefit of continued off-shoring might 
outweigh the additional taxes payable. So Mr. Obama, 
beware of the anti-outsourcing slogan. It might rebound..." 
 
 
 
-------------------- 
AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN 
-------------------- 
 
¶8. "ADMIT THE TRUTH, MR. OBAMA," editorial in February 28 
DESHBANDHU Hindi daily: "The U.S. is just realizing what 
India has known forever - the grave threat of Islamic 
fundamentalism in South Asia, as embodied by Taliban in 
the Af-Pak area. Following the Swat incident, the Obama 
Administration is now realizing the gravity of the 
situation in the region. The Taliban is Pakistan's trump 
card - one that it uses every now and then to wrest the 
dollars from America. Be it Musharraf or Zardari, 
everybody knows that as long as the Taliban menace 
continues, America can be milked. Pakistan knows every 
well that the superpower's prestige is at stake in this 
region, and that Pakistan is using that fact to milk 
America to the hilt. The sooner Mr. Obama understands 
this, the better it will be for America." 
 
¶9. "PAKISTAN'S DILLEMA" editorial in the March 2, 2009, 
Mumbai edition of centrist Marathi daily LOKMAT. 
"Terrorism seems to find stronger roots in Pakistan every 
passing day. Obviously, Pakistan remains a permanent 
worry for neighboring India. Be it the rise of the 
Taliban or the recent Pakistan's Supreme Court ruling 
barring opposition leader Nawaz Sharif from running for 
any public office, India cannot dismiss these 
developments as Pakistani internal matters. Each of these 
developments have a direct bearing on the bilateral 
relationship with India. Prolonged unrest across the 
Indo-Pak border is bad news for India, always.." 
 
¶10. "WILL THE PULLS AND PRESSURES IN PAKISTAN HELP 
EXTREMISM TO SWING BACK?"  editorial in the March 2, 2009 
multi-edition centrist Gujarati daily DIVYA BHASKAR. 
"The nation notorious for spreading extremism and 
terrorism is now facing the heat of the fire it generated 
over the years.  The internal situation in Pakistan 
continues to exacerbate with each passing day.  Even 
America, who until now followed the policy of double 
standards vis-`-vis Pakistan, has now initiated an 
intense search of terrorist hideouts in Waziristan with 
an aim to eliminate such fundamentalist elements... 
 
NEW DELHI 00000378  004 OF 004 
 
 
However, on the other hand, the Taliban, having captured 
the Swat valley, is now training its guns on Karachi, the 
financial nerve center of Pakistan.  The present 
political dispensation there seems to lack the courage to 
nip the growing influence of Taliban. ... the increasing 
advances of the Taliban in Pakistan's Sind province in 
also rings alarms bells for the Indian security 
establishment." 
WHITE