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RHOVVKG/COMSEVENTHFLT
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 002231 
 
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.-INDIA RELATIONS, 
AFGHANISTAN POST-ELECTIONS, AFGHANISTAN-INDIA, 
PAKISTAN, WAR AGAINST TERRORISM; 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. 
 
-------------------- 
U.S.-INDIA RELATIONS 
-------------------- 
 
¶1. "CLOSENESS WITH THE U.S.," op-ed in November 5 Hindi 
daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "U.S. Ambassador to India Timothy 
Roemer recently said the U.S.-India relationship today 
is very different from what it was even a few years 
back. Not only Mr. Roemer, but even President Obama and 
his predecessor George Bush have expressed such cordial 
views of late. The U.S. and India were drawn apart 
during the Cold War, but warmth came in during the time 
of President Clinton, and it peaked after the signing 
of the U.S.-India nuclear agreement. The way the Bush 
Administration held India's hand through the IAEA and 
NSG clearances, only a good friend will do. When George 
Bush left, India feared that the Democrats may 
reconsider the Republicans' approach and there might be 
a slump in relations. But President Obama reinvigorated 
the relationship with his warm gestures -- celebrating 
Deepawali, honoring Mahatma Gandhi and calling PM 
Manmohan Singh a part of his family. All these things 
are indicative of a burgeoning economic and defense 
relationship. The U.S.-India joint defense exercises in 
Agra and Babina last month are indicative of the 
understanding and partnership that both countries have 
forged. During these exercises, the United States made 
it clear that it is ready to support India's drive to 
modernize its armed forces. It may be America's 
compulsion to support Pakistan, but deep inside it 
knows the place of India in the global fight against 
terrorism. India needs to spruce up its defense given 
the aggressive attitude of China. India also needs to 
launch a war against Pakistan-originated terrorism, and 
India cannot do this on its own." 
 
-------------------------- 
AFGHANISTAN POST-ELECTIONS 
-------------------------- 
 
¶2. "KARZAI'S CHALLENGES," editorial in November 4 
centrist NAVBHARAT TIMES Hindi daily: "President 
Karzai's biggest challenge is to rein in corruption and 
give the Afghan people at least their right to live a 
secure life. U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan are 
finding it tough to maintain their soldiers' presence. 
The huge money they are doling out in Afghanistan is 
sadly going to the provincial chieftains who are 
backing Karzai, and not the common man." 
 
¶3. "QUESTIONABLE VICTORY," editorial in November 4 
centrist Hindi daily, DAINIK HINDUSTAN: "In his 
previous administration, Karzai did not live up to the 
expectations of the Western countries. The U.S. wants 
to vacate Afghanistan, but there should at least be a 
 
NEW DELHI 00002231  002 OF 002 
 
 
working government there. By all indications, America 
will now tighten its purse strings, and persuade Karzai 
to tighten his act." 
 
----------------- 
AFGHANISTAN-INDIA 
----------------- 
 
¶4. "INDIA SHOULD TAKE INITIATIVE FOR REGIONAL 
SECURITY," 
article in November 5 Guwahati Assamese left-of-center 
ASAMIYA PRATIDIN: "A pre-9/11 situation is likely to 
return if the U.S., Britain and other NATO countries 
decide to initiate talks with the Taliban following the 
suggestion by their military experts. Should the 
Taliban regime stage a comeback in Afghanistan India 
may also face a new security challenge. Resurgence of 
the Taliban power vis-`-vis the presence of a strong 
Western military alliance will create more conflicts 
and more security problems in South and Central Asia. 
India should take the initiative to build larger 
regional security cooperation with the help of China, 
Russia, Iran and other central Asian countries in its 
own interest." 
 
-------- 
PAKISTAN 
-------- 
 
¶5. "NOW TALIBANISTAN?" commentary in November 2 Bengali 
bimonthly DESH: "If Pakistan thinks that its problems 
of containing Taliban terrorism will be resolved by 
solely relying on the U.S. that will be too far- 
fetched. Pakistan is actually running the risk of 
losing its sovereignty either to the Taliban militia or 
to the U.S. military. Pakistan will have to depend on 
the strength of its own army and government to save the 
people. Otherwise, Pakistan will soon become 
'Talibanistan'." 
 
--------------------- 
WAR AGAINST TERRORISM 
--------------------- 
 
¶6. "IS MUMBAI PROTECTED AGAINST A FRESH TERRORIST 
ATTACK?" editorial in left-of-center Marathi daily, 
AAPLA MAHANAGAR: "How equipped are Mumbai police to 
deal with terrorist forces in the event of any 
terrorist onslaught in the future? Considering the 
hordes of unauthorized entrants in the city, coupled 
with active underworld miscreants, the police are 
visibly unable to keep tabs on nefarious networks, even 
with the best of intentions. It is time for citizens to 
realize this fact and deal with it intelligently." 
ROEMER