During days of SEATO to combat communism in Asia, Pakistan jumped on the American bandwagon with unabashed alacrity to thumb its nose at India with Americans looking fondly at their prodigal ally which was showered with all kinds of deadly toys to keep it in good homour. After the collapse of communism, Pakistan had the diabolic foresight of using the Russian intervention in Afghanistan as a pretext to convert the latter into a political laboratory for mutating the Frankenstein of the Taliban and jihadis. After the carnage of September 11, Pakistan quickly and conveniently went on to play the role of Dr Jekyll for America promising it a rose garden free from terrorists and changing into Mr Hyde for Al-Qaeda and their fellow travellers. If it were not true, then how could Osama bin Laden, Mulla Omar and their big players could do a Houdini act of disappearing into thin air? So the bitter truth is that so long as the spectre of Islamic terrorism is hovering over America and Europe, killings in Kashmir are just a collateral damage in their eyes to be borne by India.

Therefore, the bottomline now is that till such time as the marriage of convenience between America and Pakistan comes to an end, we in India have to face the unbearable pain of cross-border terrorism by accepting it as our problem to be tackled by us alone by military and diplomatic means available to us after discounting the crocodile tears on the face of American diplomats, who can easily be suspected of having their own agenda of priorities.

R.C. KHANNA, Amritsar

Rational approach: While discussing India’s relations with its neighbours a reference to Pakistan is inevitable as also to the Kashmir issue where the two countries get stuck. Mr Hari Jaisingh’s article (June 21) presents a rational and realistic approach to the solution of Kashmir and other outstanding issues hanging fire for the past over 50 years; provided Pakistan changes its “old mindset”.

The current developments show that Musharraf is treading the path in no way different from his predecessors by flogging the dead horse — harking back to the old UN resolutions of 1948-49, conveniently ignoring the fact that the conditions required for a plebiscite in the resolutions then cannot be recreated now. He also forgets that these included, among other conditions, the withdrawal of Pakistani forces from territories illegally occupied by it when the Maharaja of Kashmir acceded to India in accordance with the procedure laid down by the British government.

There are numerous instances round the world where different issues between neighbouring countries have been settled peacefully through bilateral negotiations. This is the commitment and the promise contained in the Simla agreement. But for any negotiation under the agreement the prerequisite will be the creation of a normal atmosphere with the understanding in this case that infiltration across the Line of Control (LoC) will be stopped and ultras’ camps shut.

This should be followed by the two countries signing a no-war pact. The psychological effect it will make in the subcontinent may usher in a new chapter of positive thinking. Not only can the two countries then proportionately decrease the defence budget but also expand trade. A joint venture, as proposed by the author, will enable both countries to have a freer access to each other’s market. The impression that the two countries are enemies has come to the lowest ebb. So much so that they do not exchange even newspapers and books. A free flow of information and visitors should be the first step towards normalcy.

K. M. VASHISHT, Mansa

US role: Mr Hari Jaisingh is right in the assessment of Pakistan’s attitude towards India. India has no options but to normalise relations with its neighbours.

General Pervez Musharraf’s sole aim is to humiliate India in the international community which keeps on haunting the Pakistani rulers. J & K is just an excuse. They are fully aware that the idea of grabbing Kashmir is only a dream. The USA can play a major role for peace in the area by abandoning its dual policies towards the two countries.

The international community knows about the supply of missiles, sophisticated arms and nuclear weapons to Pakistan by certain countries for their vested interests.

TAJENDER PAL KAUR, Faridabad

War clouds: It’s a matter of some relief not only for the people of this region but also for the entire world that the clouds of war have at long last started thinning down, thanks to the sagacious moves and aggressive diplomacy of Indian leaders in the face of grave crises confronting the nation.

In fact we had moved closer to the precipice of a nuclear war provoked by a relentless proxy war engineered against us from across the border. The gravity of the situation accentuated by a massive build-up on the border posed a serious threat to peace and had the potential to escalate. The Western and world powers felt concerned about the emerging scenario and helped save the situation, telling Pakistan to behave and by securing from the wily General the assurance for a crackdown on jehadis and a commitment to stop cross-border terrorism. This pledge had the effect of at least easing the mounting tension. The situation is likely to further improve with the promises being kept and honoured in their right spirit.