Letters to the editor

123, in defence 8226; THE objections of Left parties to the 123 deal appears more political than logical. As an avid reader, I compliment t...

123, in defence

8226; THE objections of Left parties to the 123 deal appears more political than logical. As an avid reader, I compliment the Express for publishing Gen V.P. Malik8217;s well-argued support for the deal, which was one of the few articles articulating the military point of view 8216;Read the fine print8217;, IE, August 19. Regrettably the armed forces are prohibited from airing their views, but they need the 123 deal as much as India8217;s energy sector, which is starved of uranium and denied lightwater technology. India has been given a golden opportunity to be accepted as a nuclear weapon state, like the five others in the NPT. If we shun the deal, India will remain a nuclear pariah. It appears the Left parties do not wish to see a strong India, nor do they appreciate the military consequences of not having such a deal. It is hoped the uniformed community will be able to communicate these advantages behind closed doors to our politicians, and tilt the debate in favour of the deal.

8212; Cmde retd Ranjit B. Rai, New Delhi

Deal in new order

8226; INDIAN and Soviet interests coincided and the two had a close relationship for over 25 years during the cold war period. The Indo-Soviet Friendship treaty of 1971 stood the test of time. In the new millennium India faces an unstable Pakistan on the west and a rising China that lays claims to Arunachal Pradesh. India is interested in securing its energy imports from Gulf. All this while the Chinese naval expansion proceeds at hectic pace and China does not miss any opportunity to check or thwart India at many international fora. The US is concerned over the rise of China. It is interested in ensuring India8217;s rise to balance China in Asia. This convergence of these national interests between India and the US is likely to remain for most of 21st century. The present nuclear deal is an effort to forge a strategic partnership between the two democracies.

8212; Lt Gen retd Eric Vas, Lt Gen retd Ashok Joshi 038; others, IPD; Pune

Our fissile politics

8226; INDIAN politics has truly touched rock bottom 8212; both inside and outside Parliament. Emphatically aided and abetted by an immature media, these politicians are holding the entire country to ransom with their irresponsible utterances and behaviour. How can any government or right -minded citizens function in this kind of scenario? If every decision is to undergo a trial by media with the Opposition playing prosecution and the government, the defence, we weaken the government and weaken the country. If it is not the nuclear deal, it is Ronen Sen; tomorrow it will be something else.

8212; Sreelata Menon, Allahabad

From Sen to Ghose

8226; IT is the article by Arundhati Ghose 8212; like the observation of Ronen Sen 8212; that makes little sense 8216;Sen and nonsense8217;, IE, August 23. Sen accuses the fourth estate and first pillar of democracy 8212; ie, the media 8212; and Parliament of being clueless when they are only performing their required roles. Sen has crossed all limits and should be immediately recalled for lowering the image of India8217;s media and Parliament abroad. The Opposition is only doing their duty by stalling the proceedings of Parliament because the government has not acted so far against Sen.

8212; Anand Bhosale, Pune