Opinion Letters to the editor: Love thy neighbour

Apropos of ‘Need a good neighbour to be happy: PM in Thimphu’ (IE, June 16), former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee famously said in the context of Indo-Pak ties that “you can change friends, not neighbours. We have to live here. We either live as friends or we keep fighting, making ourselves the butt of ridicule before the world”. Unfortunately, India’s relations with its neighbours have not been as friendly as they ought to be. PM Narendra Modi’s maiden foreign visit to Bhutan may be the beginning of a new era in New Delhi’s relations with South Asian countries.
— M.C. Joshi
Lucknow

Iraq crisis
This refers to the editorial ‘Taking aim at Baghdad’ (IE, June 14). The Iraq imbroglio portends bad days for the country. Unless the crisis is quickly defused, which appears unlikely given the situation on the ground, the Middle East may become a simmering cauldron bearing serious threats to global peace and stability. It would be a throwback to the scenario created by the US invasion in 2003. The foremost duty of the Iraqi government should be to broaden the rule of the Shia majority, by co-opting the Kurds and winning their confidence, and eschewing the policy of isolating the Sunni minority, which has polarised this fragile nation. The crisis could be halted if Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki rises to the occasion to inspire confidence among all people. The growth and expansion of the ISIS in Iraq is a result of isolating the Sunnis. International intervention would only heighten tensions and Iran may jump into the fray, as well as Syria.
— Parthasarathy Sen
New Delhi

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Navy’s fortunes
After the string of accidents that have plagued the navy, culminating in the navy chief’s resignation, PM Modi’s dedication of INS Vikramaditya to the nation should mark a turning point. The Indian navy needs to redeem its image. The Modi government must strive to boost the morale of all defence forces and pave the way for the development of indigenous naval capabilities. The PM must expedite navy modernisation.
— Badal Jain
Jalgaon

Police reforms
It is surprising that PM Modi has not spoken about police reforms, despite the fact that the law and order situation in many states has deteriorated, particularly when viewed in the context of a rise in the reporting of rape cases. Police and judicial reforms, the two sides of the criminal justice system, need immediate attention. True, policing is a state subject but states can hardly effect reforms without the Centre’s support. India’s police forces are understaffed and poorly trained. Meanwhile, with thousands of cases pending in various courts, resulting in an inefficient and expensive justice delivery system, the judiciary too needs tending to.
— R.J. Khurana
New Delhi