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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 000254 
 
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: OBAMA PRESIDENCY, INDO-PAK 
RELATIONS; 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. 
 
---------------- 
OBAMA PRESIDENCY 
---------------- 
 
¶1. "OBAMA GOES LOCAL," editorial in right-of-center 
Marathi daily, SAMANA: "President Obama is aware of 
America's waning power in the global context. And his 
effort to prevent the outsourcing of jobs is a reaction 
to the unfolding scenario. He is also aware that India, 
China and even Brazil are less affected by recession 
than the U.S. Of course, he is not aware that it will 
not be easy to do away with the support system that 
Indian IT talent provides to America at a fairly 
affordable price. Yes, let's see how he can do without 
falling back on the 'back office of the world." 
 
¶2. "U.S. SURROUNDED WITH CHALLENGES," commentary in 
February 7 Hindi daily, RASHTRIYA SAHARA: "Ever since 
the economic recession gripped the U.S., its problems 
are compounding. The artificial devaluation of Chinese 
currency is affecting U.S. exports. The U.S. 
administration is considering the war option against 
the Taliban and Al-Qaida. War-expenditure will reach 
300-billion dollars in Afghanistan and 684-billion 
dollars in Iraq this year. The U.S. is not in a 
position to bear the burden of another war. Why does 
the champion of peace Obama need war?" 
 
------------------ 
INDO-PAK RELATIONS 
------------------ 
 
¶3. "MEANING OF THIS INVITATION," op-ed in February 7 
Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "India has taken its people 
aback by inviting Pakistan for the talks without having 
the latter bring the Mumbai perpetrators to justice. It 
is natural to suspect that U.S. pressure on India is 
behind this decision. The U.S. needs Pakistan's 
cooperation against the Taliban, but the way it is 
accepting Pakistan's conditions is worrisome for India. 
It is surprising that India is going for the talks, 
giving an upper hand to Pakistan and serving U.S. 
interests!" 
 
¶4. "DIPLOMATIC FAILURE," editorial in February 6 Hindi 
daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "India's proposal for talks with 
Pakistan shows that our foreign policy is not in the 
right hands, and that we have bowed to international 
(read American) pressure. India should be telling 
Pakistan and the U.S. that these talks will not solve 
the problem until there is mutual trust. Pakistan uses 
terrorism as a tool, but the U.S. turns a blind eye to 
it. India should shed its defensive attitude on the 
Kashmir issue. If it doesn't, it will always face 
international pressure." 
 
 
NEW DELHI 00000254  002 OF 002 
 
 
¶5. "PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE TIES COME FIRST, NOT POLITICS," 
editorial in February 6 Hindi daily, NAVBHARAT TIMES: 
"Talks are the only way out of the current deadlock. 
Maybe another reason for India's stand is the 
realization that the people of Pakistan are not against 
India. Both nations need to build trust and not let the 
talks be derailed." 
 
¶6. "CHIDAMBARAM'S PROPOSED VISIT TO PAKISTAN," 
editorial in February 5 right-of-center Urdu daily, 
SIASAT: "India's Home Minister Chidambaram is going to 
Pakistan on February 26 to participate in a conference 
of SAARC countries. There are indications that 
bilateral talks with Pakistan will also be held. Better 
bilateral relations are in the interest of both the 
countries." 
 
¶7. "WELCOME INITIATIVE," editorial in February 6 
independent Kolkata Bengali daily, ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA: 
"Shutting communication channels with a neighboring 
country is not prudent. Moreover, it has not diminished 
anti-India jihad activism in Pakistan. Maintaining 
political stability and peace in the subcontinent is 
also necessary for the sake of economic progress in the 
region." 
 
¶8. "INDIA'S FICKLE PAKISTAN POLICY," editorial in 
February 7 centrist Gujarati daily, 
GUJARATMITRA: "India's complete volte-face on its 
policy -- of not having any dialogue with Pakistan 
until the later takes credible action against the 
perpetrators of Mumbai terrorist attacks -- smacks of 
India's unstable approach.  Doesn't India realize the 
outcome of any talks? Is India under American pressure 
to start talks?" 
 
¶9. "INDIA-PAKISTAN TALKS MUST CONTINUE," editorial in 
February 6 centrist Marathi daily, LOKMAT: "However 
fragile the relations between India and Pakistan may 
be, it is advisable for India to continue to hold peace 
talks with Pakistan. India's peace and stability, the 
investigation of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and 
prevention of further such assaults depend on the 
bilateral dialogue between India and Pakistan." 
ROEMER