Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s Indian visit and the gas pipeline have prompted comment in almost all newspapers. Delhi-based Hindustan Express, in an editorial on April 29 said, “Ahmadinejad’s visit is a historic one in that his initiative has succeeded in making the US mission to keep India and Pakistan away from Iran, and particularly killing the gas pipeline project, unsuccessful. Popular pressure on the Indian government will grow with this initiative of the Iranian president and whether the UPA government remains in power or any other government takes over in New Delhi, it would not dare to back out from this project”.

Delhi-based Daily Milap writes that a cordial relationship with India can bring many benefits to Iran on the international stage. “It would not be a costly bargain even if some economic concessions are to be given.” It says it is essential for India to lay emphasis on cooperation with Iran to contain terrorism. “Iran’s contacts and policy stance can be very effective in this regard,” it adds.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s biweekly Daawat says (April 28) that “it seems the government of India is now resisting the pressure of the NATO countries against Iran. At least the statement given by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee in this connection gives this impression”. Patna and Ranchi-based Qaumi Tanzeem has hailed Pranab Mukherjee’s strong statement in an editorial entitled ‘America Should Confine itself to its Limits’ (April 26). Rahnuma-e-Deccan of Hyderabad has welcomed the ‘near certainty’ of the fruition of the gas pipeline project. But in an editorial on May 1 it has taken a critical view of the reservations expressed by “officials like Indian Foreign Secretary, Shiv Shankar Menon, who are friends of the US,” with regard to the commercial viability of the project and the question of “provision of security.” “It would be better if our prime minister gives a clarification about the government’s position in this regard, as President Ahmadinejad has already done,” the editorial says.

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