Cablegate: Media Reaction: India-Pakistan Relations,

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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 001717

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-PAKISTAN RELATIONS,
DETENTION OF SHAH RUKH KHAN, INDIA-CHINA 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.

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INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS
------------------------

1. "USED TO BEING CHEATED," commentary in August 14
right-of-center Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "The
Pakistanis must be laughing at Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh's borrowed formulation that we must adopt a
"trust but verify" approach to our relations with their
country. Our politicians only trust and our armed
forces pay for it by sacrificing their lives."

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DETENTION OF SHAH RUKH KHAN
---------------------------

2. "DEATAINED BECAUSE OF NAME?" editorial in August 17
centrist Gujarati daily, DIVYA BHASKAR: "There is
hullaballoo in India even as America has clarified that
actor Shah Rukh Khan was not detained because of his
'Khan' last name. After 9/11, America is paranoid about
Muslim names; hence, such episodes recur there. But
there is a need to change the mentality of Indians who
blow up at the slightest provocation in matters
pertaining to celebrities and other VIPs. We need to
learn from the fact that even American presidents and
British prime ministers do not get any special
treatment once they exit office."

3. "AMERICA'S ILL-WILL," editorial in August 17 left-
of-center Marathi daily, AAPLA MAHANAGAR: "Bollywood
icon Shah Rukh Khan's ill-treatment at the Newark
airport speaks of typical American arrogance that one
has seen in earlier instances. It is the same
characteristic American conceit that was observed in
the insult flung at India's former president by an
American airline. The American consulate in Mumbai is
also notorious for a similar conceited attitude. Their
recent visa denials to renowned folk singer Vithal Umap
are quite abrupt. America has lost its sense of
perspective post 9/11. It views the world with
suspicion."

4. "STERN STAND ON SHAH RUKH ISSUE NEEDED," editorial
in August 17 right-of-center Urdu daily, RASHTRIYA
SAHARA: "The U.S. administration has always adopted a
bigoted attitude against Asian people. Prejudice
against Muslims has accelerated in America and Western
countries after 9/11. The detention of Shah Rukh Khan
and other similar incidents show the ground realities
have not changed despite the remarks of President Obama
who wishes to forge a better relationship with the
Islamic world. Why do we give special privilege to
American actors, artists and sportspersons at Indian
airports?"

NEW DELHI 00001717 002 OF 002

5. "PAIN OF BEING A KHAN," editorial in August 17
right-of-center Urdu daily, HINDUSTAN EXPRESS: "America
is the world's super power but that doesn't mean it can
humiliate our politicians and stars. The detention of
Shah Rukh Khan at a U.S. airport is the humiliation of
India. Be it Bush or Obama, America's mentality is
generally against Indians and particularly against
Muslims. India is a noble and honorable country and it
won't do the same to American personalities. But we let
our displeasure be known so that such humiliation may
not occur again."

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INDIA-CHINA RELATIONS
---------------------

6. "DEALING WITH CHINA'S CHALLENGE," op-ed in August 16
right-of-center Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "Indian
strategists should accept the bitter truth underlined
by Navy Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta that India cannot
match China's military force. India should enhance its
military power and reduce China's growing interference
in the Indian Ocean. It should strengthen bilateral
diplomatic, economic and cultural relations and
establish more and more individual contacts. It should
also reinforce relations with the U.S., Russia, Japan
and other East Asian countries."

7. "CHINESE THINK-TANK'S PLAN TO SPLINTER INDIA,"
editorial in August 15 nationalist Hindi daily, VIR
ARJUN: "The 13th round of India-China boundary talks
ended without a significant progress because of China's
tenacious attitude. India should have raised important
issues, like China's blind support to Pakistan,
especially in defense and nuclear sectors. Another
worrisome thing is a Chinese strategist writing that
China, jointly with Pakistan, Nepal and Bhutan, should
split India into 20-30 pieces. He writes if China tries
just a little the great India federation can be
dismembered and suggests China to, especially, support
ULFA in attaining Assam's Independence."
ROEMER

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