M A I L B A G

US may force Pakistan to fall in line

Apropos of your editorial ‘Stop means stop’ (May 12), while Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s peace initiative is still one more of India’s friendly overtures to Pakistan and our efforts at peaceful and a healthy coexistence, Pakistan has made no positive and substantial attempt to curb crossborder terrorism. It has rather stuck to its ‘denial’ statements so much so that now even the US may not stand any surety for Pakistan’s promises on the issue. During a visit to Pakistan, US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage could only repeat President Musharraf’s oft-repeated statement that if there are any terrorist camps in PoK they “will be gone tomorrow”. The US seems to realise that certain terrorist outfits like Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad are again gaining ground and spreading their wings, which may even pose a danger to the US.

Hence, in one way, the US seems justified in putting pressure for an India-Pakistan dialogue with the hope that some agreement at mutual cooperation in trade, business, transport, communication etc. may help reduce ‘official’ support to terrorism. India too should follow the policy of maintaining economic relations with Pakistan. At the same time, we should be very tough on terrorists whether infiltrating from Pakistan or operating from within our territory. If we give a hot chase to Pak-sponsored terrorist leaders operating in India, the US settlement in Afghanistan is also likely to feel the heat.

VED GULIANI, Hisar

II

In his article “India-Pakistan move: the lessons to be learnt from past” (May 8), Mr G. Parthasarathy has rightly concluded thus: “For us terrorism and not Kashmir is and should remain the core issue. There can and should be no compromise on this. And Washington should be left in no doubt on this score.”

I would add one more thing that the whole world should know that Kashmir is an integral part of India. Experience suggests that all Pakistani leaders, irrespective of their military-political background, have been playing with the Kashmir card. The Pakistan President has publicly said at an editors’ conference during the Agra summit, he cannot face his people in Pakistan if he returned without resolving the Kashmir issue. In case the talks resume again, I am sure, he would raise the Kashmir issue as the core problem.

Meanwhile, both India and Pakistan should give priority to resumption of rail, road and air links, simplify visa system, boost trade and cultural exchanges with mutual understanding, sign a no war pact, resolve river waters dispute, re-marking the LoC, and maintain the sanctity of gurdwaras and temples.

MOHAN SINGH,

Bathinda Cantonment

III

All those Nehruvian secularists, who shout themselves hoarse in favour of friendly Indo-Pak relations, ignore two ground realities. First, the very foundation of Pakistan was laid on the feeling of intense hatred against the Hindus. Secondly, good relations are possible between two friendly nations only and a hostile Islamic republic of Pakistan cannot be termed a friendly nation by any definition, whatsoever.

Moreover, the die-hard Islamic Mullahs and Moulvis in connivance with the Pakistani army will never allow it to happen. So, instead of offering to have any sort of relations with Pakistan, Mr A.B. Vajpayee should tell the United States that I slam a bad Pakistan and somehow convince them that the US’ fight against the global Islamic jehadi terrorism should start in Pakistan and end with Pakistan only.

A.K. SHARMA, Chandigarh

Exemplary courage

This has reference to your editorial “Belling the (big) cat”. Nirmala Devi, who killed the wild beast and set an exemplary example to others, deserves a bravery award. The Himachal Pradesh Government should propose her name for the bravery award.

The Forest Department should also impart training and techniques of self-defence to the villagers who are in the vicinity of the forests.

DINESH MONGRA, (H.P.)