The Indian Express

: • It is a matter of concern that there is no let-up in the violence unleashed by the Taliban and other terrorist groups in Afghanistan. India is intricately involved in the development of Afghanistan, and for this reason Indian nationals are targets. India should not only take care of its citizens there, but the Indian government should also ensure foolproof security for its missions in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and other trouble spots.

— B.K. Chatterjee

Faridabad

Mighty hurdles

• C. Raja Mohan is right about the hurdles ahead for the nuclear deal on ‘Hokkaido time’. So far, the international community has not been vocal about the deal because the Left in India had successfully blocked it. As India approaches the IAEA and NSG for approval, obstacles will come up. China, which has neither denied support nor promised it, is an obvious one. The China-Pakistan lobby will not let India walk away with the deal.

Then there are the non-proliferation regime and India sceptics.

The external affairs ministry must use its diplomatic acumen to get the international community on board and the government conclude the deal before George W. Bush leaves the White House.

— H.S. Gur Hisar

A non-event

• The withdrawal of support to the UPA by the Left ceased to be a threat and became a reality the moment Mulayam Singh Yadav “pulled the rug” from under its feet. Its formal announcement now is therefore a non-event. The saying “There are no permanent friends or foes in politics” has also become outdated. What is permanent now is opportunism in politics that can be camouflaged by calling the newfound friendship between the Congress and the SP a result of political acumen. The Congress can feel happy about a political victory, but it can consolidate it only by tackling the inflation.

— S. Rajagopalan

Chennai

The last leg

• Indian cricketers are paper tigers when playing in finals, as the rout of India in the Asia Cup final demonstrated. Our cricketers crumble like cookies in important matches and tight situations. They put themselves under psychological pressure while playing high-stake matches. To make them overcome the “finals nightmare” what the players need is a first-rate psychologist.

— S.N. Kabra

Mumbai

editor@expressindia.com