M A I L B A G

India must tread with caution

This has reference to H.K. Dua’s front-page editorial “The peace process has ended” (July 14). The peace process is justified only as long as it carries a positive and constructive response from the other side of the border. Both the NDA and UPA governments have done a lot to bring the people of two countries closer. The people have accepted the peace process heartily. However, the Pakistan government has not abandoned its old mischievous plan to create problems for India.

Clearly, General Musharraf does not have any control over terrorists. He himself is reportedly on the hit list of terrorists for his pro-American stand. In such circumstances, how can he check the terrorists?

Mr Dua rightly said that our government must tread with caution as regards the peace process. It is a sound advice at the right time.

KHAZAN SINGH, Kapurthala

II

Pakistan President General Musharraf has time and again showed that he is not interested in any meaningful dialogue with India. Instead, he believes in petty games of one-upmanship. In past many years, he has not done anything that would suggest his seriousness towards making peace.

India, under two of its most peace-loving leaders, Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee and now Dr Manmohan Singh, has made many attempts to get a meaningful dialogue going. But every time it has been met with a scornful incident of terror of horrifying magnitude. General Musharraf’s intentions are clear from his actions.

Neither is the US going to take Pakistan to task for its patently obvious role in perpetrating terrorism. India must understand that it is not Israel and Pakistan is not Palestine.

Dr HARSH SHARMA Mohali

III

General Musharraf has a dubious character. He says one thing and does exactly the opposite. So India cannot trust him. The US, for obvious reasons, cannot afford to displease him. Therefore, we have to tighten our belts to defend our nation and borders. This is what Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said during his visit to Mumbai, two days after the serial bomb blast.

The Government of India should revert to the February 2004 position and withdraw all confidence building measures extended to Pakistan until it destroys all the terrorist training camps on its soil.

A.N. BHANDULA, Panipat

IV

The terrorist attack on the Mumbai train system shows that it is time for India to fight its war on terror in a new way. Instead of fighting the tree of terror only on the leaves and branches, India must start attacking the roots of this weed.

It is in India’s best interest to send forces to Afghanistan not only to help train the Afghan security forces, but also to provide support to the coalition forces. Countries like Japan and South Korea send forces to this cause with no jihadi forces attacking their people and spirit.

India knows that a free and democratic Afghanistan is in its best interest. It supports the Afghans by providing money, infrastructure and diplomatic support.  To help Afghans kill one of the strongest roots of the terrorist weed, India must help Afghanistan economically, militarily, and diplomatically. A strong and peaceful Afghanistan will be a great boon for India.

NEIL PATEL, Ann Arbor (USA)