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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 NEW DELHI 001151 
 
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: OBAMA SPEECH IN CAIRO: INDIA MEDIA REPORT I 
 
Summary:  President Obama's speech Thursday to the 
Muslim world was very well received in India, home to 
one of the world's largest Muslim audiences, the media 
reported.  The President's remarks were carried live 
and in subsequent news bulletins on key radio and 
television stations throughout India and printed 
prominently in most newspapers.  Newspapers reported 
that the speech struck a chord with Muslim academics, 
intellectuals and media persons, some of whom 
participated in special programs organized at the 
American Centers in India.  Muslim leaders generally 
agreed that President Obama's speech was welcome and a 
"good beginning," but some want to wait until they see 
some actual changes in U.S. foreign policy, 
particularly in the Middle East. 
 
Editorial opinion will begin appearing in the coming 
days and will be reported in subsequent cables.  Some 
notable reactions published in today's newspapers 
follow in Section A below; for major electronic media 
coverage, see Section B.  End summary. 
 
SECTION A 
 
¶1. "Obama's eloquent address conspicuously excluded any 
reference to the Kashmir issue in the Indian sub- 
continent, home of the largest concentration of Muslims 
in the world, likely to the dismay of Pakistan and its 
separatist proxies who have made it a cause, and the 
delight of Indian nationalists who believe it is a 
domestic or regional concern." -- Chidanand Rajghatta, 
Washington correspondent, THE TIMES OF INDIA 
 
¶2. "Obama's speech Cairo University was a masterpiece 
in political oratory. Never have his Muslim roots been 
put to better use. What was most significant about 
Obama's speech was not what he said, but how he said 
it. America will not change its policies, the ground 
realities in the region and across the Islamic world 
will not vanish overnight, Israelis and Palestinians 
will not see the light suddenly. But the speech might 
just help in changing the mode of discussion in US- 
Islamic engagement." -- Indrani Bagchi, Diplomatic 
Editor, THE TIMES OF INDIA 
 
¶3. "Obama's speech has changed the world order for 
ever. I am very much excited after hearing Obama. I 
feel Obama is a person who means what he says. It is a 
new beginning and also a historic moment not just for 
Muslims but for the entire world." -- Kamal Farooqi, 
member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (THE 
TELEGRAPH English daily) 
 
¶4. "Obama has made a good beginning. His words have 
sent a positive message to the entire world and also to 
America." -- Zafarul Islam Khan of the Milli Council, 
an all-India body of scholars and academics (THE 
TELEGRAPH English daily) 
 
¶5. "We would like to see if Obama is going to follow up 
his good words with good action." -- Mansoor Mohammed 
of Zakat India Foundation, a humanitarian organization 
 
NEW DELHI 00001151  002 OF 004 
 
 
(THE TELEGRAPH English daily) 
 
¶6. "The Muslim world was cautiously watching each and 
every utterance of his. Obama has said some good words 
about the community, and we are happy about that. If he 
meant what he said, then well and fine. But even now he 
seems to have different attitudes towards Israel and 
Iran. This is something he has to explain." -- 
Kamaludeen Jaffri of the Jamiat Ulema, a leading 
religious body (THE TELEGRAPH English daily) 
 
¶7. "He is going in the right direction by voicing 
concerns about women's rights. He is a family man and 
understands the importance of women's education for the 
development of the society." Prof. Vijaylakshmi, 
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) New Delhi, 
participating in a panel discussion at the American 
Center, New Delhi (IANS wire service) 
 
¶8. "It is an attempt on his part to leave the past 
mistakes behind and move ahead in partnership with the 
Muslim world. This can be a new beginning in 
solidifying the severed ties between the Americans and 
the Muslims. His speech has a great vision in it and it 
is extremely important that we respond in the same 
spirit." Zafar Agha, senior journalist, participating 
in a panel discussion at the American Center, New Delhi 
(IANS wire service) 
 
¶9. "It is for the first time that an American president 
has addressed the Muslims not from the safety of the 
White House but rather in the veins of a city (in the 
Muslim world). We must all react positively to his 
gracious effort." -- Islamic leader and professor 
Aktarul Wasey, participating in a panel discussion at 
the American Center, New Delhi (IANS wire service) 
 
¶10. "India has the second largest population of Muslims 
in the world after Indonesia. I am surprised that he 
completely ignored Indian Muslims." -- Sultan Shaheen, 
a prominent journalist, participating in a panel 
discussion at the American Center, New Delhi (IANS wire 
service) 
 
-- WALAYKUM ASSALAAM, SAY INDIAN MUSLIMS TO OBAMA 
 
¶11. "I have heard and read speeches of many world 
leaders. But I can honestly say that I have never heard 
anything like this before. I listened to Obama as a 
Muslim, and must say that he has given the Muslims and 
the world a new hope." - Leading Urdu poet, lyricist 
and commentator Hasan Kamal, participating in a panel 
discussion at the American Center, Mumbai (THE TIMES OF 
INDIA) 
 
¶12. "By quoting the Quran in the right context, Obama 
has reiterated that Islam stands for peace and 
reconciliation. He reminded the Muslims of the Quranic 
commandment about being truthful when he quoted `be 
conscious of God and always speak the truth." -- Zeenat 
Shaukat Ali, teacher of Islamic Studies, St Xavier's 
College, participating in a panel discussion at the 
 
NEW DELHI 00001151  003 OF 004 
 
 
American Center, Mumbai (THE TIMES OF INDIA) 
 
¶13. "His speech will help reduce hostility between the 
USA and the Islamic world. It will open a new chapter 
of reconciliation between the largely aggrieved Muslim 
world and the West. Muslims must welcome it." -- Qasim 
Rasool Illyas of All India Muslim Personal Law Board, 
an influential Muslim body, participating in a panel 
discussion at the American Center, Mumbai (THE TIMES OF 
INDIA) 
 
¶14. "He has openly talked of Palestine's genuine right 
of being a separate nation and Israel's right to exist. 
This is the best possible speech one could have 
expected from him." Prof Mushirul Hasan, historian and 
vice-chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia (THE TIMES OF 
INDIA) 
 
¶15. "We believe America's policies have been 
responsible for the spread of terrorism worldwide. His 
comments have given us hope. But he will have to 
translate his words into action. For that he needs a 
definite plan of action." Member of Parliament Mahmood 
Madhani (INDIAN EXPRESS) 
 
¶16. "We can see that there is a perceptible change in 
America's attitude. He has said we should not be 
prisoners of the past. It was not the language of 
power." Muslim League leader and Union Minister of 
State E Ahamed (INDIAN EXPRESS) 
 
¶17. "Terrorism is a fall-out of aggression and 
injustice. Speeches will not work, until a serious 
attempt is made to end aggression." -- Syed Ahmad 
Bukhari, Imam, Jama Masjid (grand mosque), New Delhi 
(report in Urdu dailies) 
 
¶18. "Bush's approach was arrogant. Obama is mild. He is 
willing to listen to others. We see some good qualities 
in him. But when you read between the lines after 
hearing what he said, one can see that there is not 
going to be a major change in America's foreign 
policy." -- Mujtaba Farooq, Jamaat-e-Islami-Hind 
(INDIAN EXPRESS) 
 
¶19. "Obama has provided an opportunity to Islamic 
nations to forge a new relationship. Only time will 
tell how Muslims respond to this new offer." - 
Editorial MUMBAI SAMACHAR Gujarati daily 
 
SECTION B: ELECTRONIC MEDIA COVERAGE 
 
¶20. All Indian TV channels and networks went live with 
President Obama's speech, including the national 
broadcaster Doordarshan (viewership: 450 million), 
Aajtak (viewership: 31 million) NDTV 24X7 (viewership: 
16 million), NDTV India (viewership: 26 million), Zee 
TV (viewership: 20 million), Star TV (viewership: 24 
million), Sahara TV (viewership: 11 million), CNN-IBN 
(20 million) and TIMES NOW (20 million).  The new TV 
News X attended the Kolkata program and interviewed PAO 
Kolkata Doug Kelley.  Most channels followed up the 
 
NEW DELHI 00001151  004 OF 004 
 
 
speech with studio panel discussions and talk shows. 
It was the top news story in all consecutive news 
bulletins throughout the day. 
 
¶21. Of particular interest, ETV Urdu (India viewership: 
8 million), India's largest Urdu language television 
station, carried the complete speech live.  Following 
the broadcast, the channel held a panel discussion that 
featured Consul General Cornelis Keur and DCM Steven 
White.  ETV Urdu is featured on cable systems 
throughout the region, including in the Gulf countries. 
The program was also telecast for a shorter duration on 
the ETV network's 11 channels broadcast in other Indian 
languages.  TV9, a south India Telugu channel also 
broadcast a live program featuring our Hyderabad CG and 
DCM.  Other prominent regional language channels 
covering the speech included: Saakshi TV, and Zee TV 
(Andhra Pradesh); Sun TV (40 million) (Tamil Nadu); and 
Chabbis Ghanta (5 million) and Star Ananda (5 million) 
(West Bengal). 
 
¶22. Several channels dedicated half-hour special shows 
during prime time slots like 9 pm and 10 pm when senior 
journalists and commentators were seen discussing the 
impact of the President's speech on the rest of the 
world and India. Some voiced the opinion that India 
seems to have been "left out" this time around. Terming 
it a "major shift in U.S. policy" most TV stations 
reported the speech as being viewed by Indians with 
"skepticism but also with a lot of hope". 
 
¶23. Following the speech, PAO Larry Schwartz, 
participated in live panel discussions during the prime 
time news hours on two of India's top television 
stations:  Headlines Today (5 million) and NDTV 24X7 
(16 million). 
 
¶24. The Embassy also utilized its webpage and Facebook 
to promote the speech and encourage country-wide 
discussion. 
BURLEIGH