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RHOVVKG/COMSEVENTHFLT
RHMCSUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 000004 
 
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: 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. 
 
--------------------- 
INDIA-JAPAN RELATIONS 
--------------------- 
 
¶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." 
 
--------- 
TERRORISM 
--------- 
 
¶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." 
 
NEW DELHI 00000004  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
¶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." 
 
----------- 
AFGHANISTAN 
----------- 
 
¶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