India in the foreign PRESS

The New York Times critically discussed Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s “brief but highly symbolic visit”. The article noted that the visit produced no landmark bilateral deal, nor were issues relating to the $7bn gas pipeline sorted out. However, Iran served as the “perfect proxy” for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to assert foreign policy independence from the United States and silence his critics at home.

Stop War and Start Talks/The Times

The Times analyses an internal report submitted to the Planning Commission on ways to tackle the Maoist menace within the country. The report has urged the reversal of the 40-year policy of refusing to negotiate with the Naxalites till they renounce violence, while concentrating on development schemes that would help them back into the socio-political mainstream. It specifically discourages the formation of local vigilante groups like Salwa Judum that “delegitimises politics, dehumanises people and represents the abdication of the State itself.”

Life insurance for prostitutes/The Daily Telegraph

Around 250 sex workers in Kolkata have been given life insurance cover from a state-owned corporation. The report notes that while prostitution is illegal, there are about 2 million female sex workers throughout the country, and this is a step forward in their “long standing crusade aimed at legalising their profession to help bring them into the mainstream.