On the chess board

• Maroof Raza suggests that a greater role for Pakistan in Central ...

• Maroof Raza suggests that a greater role for Pakistan in Central Asia will lead to the diminishment of its Kashmir-centric, anti-Indian policy (‘Let Pakistan play the Great Game’, IE, April 14). This is totally incorrect. Pakistan was playing a greater role in Central Asia and in Afghanistan prior to September 11, 2001. However, it was almost entirely destablising and driven by anti-Indianism. A large number of terrorists were being trained in Afghanistan and then inducted into Kashmir by the Pakistan army. Afghanistan was also used during the hijacking of a Indian aircraft by militants. To suggest that a greater role for Pakistan will lead to a reduction in its antagonism against India is to make a mockery of common sense.

— Gopal Vaidya New Delhi

Beyond rumours

• I fully agree with Kumar Ketkar’s views on the RSS (‘The Sudarshan Chakra’, IE, April 14). In my view the RSS needs to evolve. The world has been transformed for the better in the last 80 years. It has moved towards integration of all kinds — people, places, culture, etc. Now people are sensitive and smart enough to perceive and understand developments taking place in India and abroad. So there is no space for any “hidden agenda”.

— Vikram Singh Mumbai

Trade, not service

• Arvind Virmani’s article on India-China relations is well balanced and well written (‘From Bhai-Bhai to Buy-Buy’, IE, April 13). Clearly India should get over the euphoria of a Free Trade Agreement, because an FTA will not provide India with as much benefit since it will include services, India’s core strength. Remember, services provide more profit in percentage terms than goods.
Virmani correctly points out that we need to have more trade between India and China. But the way to get more trade going is to remove the current barriers and streamline operations.

— P.J. Gupta On e-mail

Our cricket dues

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• I agree with Jayaditya Gupta’s point about the Indian fan not following domestic cricket (‘Cricket’s armchair army’, IE, April 13). But Indian fans make an investment when they watch the game on TV or when they buy any product endorsed by cricketers. Why are the matches shown on television? Because companies want to sell products to the cricket fans. When a player signs a deal with a company for endorsement, the money the player gets paid is passed on to the customers as cost of the product.

— R. Arun Hattiesburg

For Saurav

• Saurav Ganguly is India’s most successful captain not because he is next to God on the offside (‘Contrasting captains’, IE, April 13). It is because he is the only captain India have ever had who says what is on his mind at the right place and right time. A six-match ban is too harsh. If it is upheld, he will be missed by one and all.

— Sitarama Swamy Bangalore

Police personnel seen to control the situation during a massive protest over the statehood demand and the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule, in Leh on Wednesday. (ANI Video Grab)

Statehood protest takes violent turn in Ladakh, BJP office set ablaze in Leh

India8 hr ago

Protests in Ladakh turned violent as students and youth organisations demanded statehood and Sixth Schedule status. Two elderly protesters fainted, prompting a shutdown call. A BJP office and security vehicle were set on fire. Activist Sonam Wangchuk urged for a peaceful approach. The demand for Sixth Schedule status is due to Ladakh's tribal-majority population and direct central administration.

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