Opinion Doing right
India did the right thing by not bowing to Beijings pressure to keep its representative away from the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo
India did the right thing by not bowing to Beijings pressure to keep its representative away from the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo (An uncommon RSVP, IE,December 9). Beijing was outraged because the 2010 Peace Prize was awarded to Liu Xiaobo,a pro-democracy activist. India is a democracy and stands by those who believe in it. China was free to boycott the ceremony but had no business asking others to do so. Regard for the sovereignty of states is not Beijings concern as is evident from its objections to the visits of certain dignitaries to Arunachal Pradesh and the issue of stapled visas to people from Jammu and Kashmir.
M.C. Joshi
A sari tale
I agree with the opinion that India should not unnecessarily raise a hue and cry over its sari-clad ambassador,Meera Shankar,being frisked at an airport in the US (Pat down,grow up,IE,December 10). But what is also undeniable is that security staff at American airports are not only rude but also indiscreet and tactless. Had she been asked for her identity and also explained the reasons for being singled out,this unpleasant situation would perhaps have not arisen. At Delhis IGI airport,there is a separate immigration counter for diplomatic passport holders. But the superpower US apparently does not believe in niceties.
Satwant Kaur
Mahilpur
Different strokes
This refers to the editorial Pat down,grow up. Can America belittle just anyone in the name of heightened security? They did it to Meera Shankar just because she wore a sari. That happened because the security staff at US airports are not acquainted with other cultures. Would you view it with the same equanimity if this were done by our airport staff to an American bigwig? Unlikely. Former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam,George Fernandes and Praful Patel were handed this treatment. Our foreign minister is right in saying this is unacceptable. Chide those who deserve to be chided.
Prasad Malladi
Nidadavole
Careless words
Indeed,it is shameful to see our politicians making short-term gains from the Varanasi terrorist attack (Reacting right,IE,December 9). They are actually batting on the side of the terrorists who thrive in a climate of suspicion,distrust and anger. It is equally disgusting to see our politicos shriek intelligence failure; either they are ignorant or choose to be ignorant of the fact that combating terror is a never-ending covert battle and intelligence agencies are engaged in a dynamic game with the perpetrators. We will never know how many terror attacks have been thwarted by them,yet how quick we are to condemn them!
R.P. Subramanian
Delhi
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