• Congratulations for Kiren Rijijus article Too far from Delhi . You have rendered a national service by publishing the former MPs brilliant piece on Arunachal Pradesh. It is tragic indeed,that the sensitive and strategic Northeast region continues to be neglected stupidly even 60 years after independence. I have been crying hoarse over the past four decades against this neglect since 1966,when I first visited the region at the invitation of the then governor,Vishnu Sahay,formerly Union cabinet secretary. Sadly,nobody in New Delhi seems to be honestly bothered about the region,even as government and other leaders continue to wax eloquent hypocritically about strengthening Indias unity and integrity.
Inder Jit
New Delhi
Judicious offer
• India and Pakistan had settled down to a predictable routine . Nitpicking in Kashmir from time to time to suit domestic politics on either side was a mutually accepted gambit. We carried on business with Pakistan irrespective of whether it was under military or civilian rule,our chief concern being a relatively stable Pakistan that would be a buffer between India and the wild terrain to the northwest. But todays violence has the potential to turn the Indo-Pak equation on its head. Should Pakistan succumb,our whole western border would be open to the worst extremists. The PMs overture to Pakistan is therefore welcome. Isolating Pakistan at this critical juncture would be counter-productive.
R. Narayanan
Ghaziabad
Pakistans call
• Lets not be cynical; but Manmohan Singhs offer of friendship to Pakistan is wishful thinking in the given circumstances. Unfortunately the ISI and extremists are running the show in Pakistan. One may recall that when Atal Bihari Vajpayee had offered a similar package,with a rider to walk the extra mile,it had no positive response. Taking advantage of Manmohan Singhs offer,Pakistan must show its indisputable interest in stopping cross-border terrorism,dismantling terror training camps on its soil and bringing to justice the perpetrators of last years Mumbai attack. This would pave the way for resuming the composite dialogue and restoring peace in the region.
Deepak Chikramane
Mumbai
Right,with a flaw
• This refers to Thomas Friedmans Middle Easts golden rule. Friedman is realistic in his assessment that its time to think of reducing Americas footprints and goals in Afghanistan. He also seems right in his argument that in the Middle East whenever key players take the initiative for tackling their problems,and the US helps in the process,the results are positive. Unfortunately,Friedman resorted to typical American megalomania in defining his last guiding principle We are the world. A strong ,healthy and self-confident America holds the world together… Sensible policies,international cooperation,mutual respect and non-interference hold the world together.
M. Ratan
New Delhi
