Cablegate: Media Reaction: India-Pakistan Relations; New

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E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO PGOV PREL IN
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: INDIA-PAKISTAN 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
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1. "PAKISTAN REMAINS ADAMANT," editorial in February 26
centrist Marathi daily, PRAHAR: "India gave an
opportunity to Pakistan to iron out its differences in
the ongoing Foreign Secretary-level talks, but our
neighbor does not seem to be reciprocating in good
faith. The attitude of Pakistan's Foreign Secretary,
Salman Bashir, was far from flexible. He did not commit
to any action to pin down terrorist forces operating
from Pakistan. The four hours of discussion in New
Delhi ended without any dates for further meetings or a
joint statement. Though very few in India expected a
breakthrough, India will at least benefit on one score
-Pakistan's adamant stance was exposed in front of the
global community."

2. "DIALOGUE PROCESS: EXERCISE IN FUTILITY," editorial
in February 26 right-of-center Gujarati daily, MUMBAI
SAMACHAR: "The Foreign Secretary-level talks between
India and Pakistan, as expected, turned out to be a
casual exercise rather than a constructive process.
And why wouldn't it have been, especially when both the
unwilling parties had to come to the table at America's
behest! We need to understand that Pakistan doesn't
have anything to discuss except its 'hostility' towards
India. The only option left with India is to tailor her
trade and commerce diplomacy in such a way that will
pressure Pakistan to act in a more mature and
responsible manner. The people of India consider such
dialogues a conspiracy that makes India a laughing
stock in front of the international community. India
needs a strong and decisive policy to deal with
Pakistan."
ROEMER

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