M A I L B A G

Closer relations will help both India and US

This has reference to H.K. Dua’s article “Mission to Washington: PM is willing but there are critics and comrades” (July 6). The time has come for India to go ahead with its new relationship with the US.

The old mindset needs to be changed in view of the Bush Administration’s new keenness to not only acknowledge India’s growing economic status but also make it a partner in its global strategic view, specially in the Asian region. Moreover, in view of the new-found politico-economic influence of the Indian diaspora in the US, one can be assured of sincerity in the American overtures.

Brig H.S. SANDHU (retd), Panchkula

II

It is a matter of pride for India that today the US is recognising our country as a world power. The US can hardly afford to neglect India’s capability in many fields — nuclear, IT or biotechnology, among many others. Today India’s tempo of development is phenomenal.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will surely lead India and scale dizzy heights. The Left parties’ fear regarding Dr Singh’s visit to the US is misplaced. As for Pakistan, its concerns are borne out of jealousy. In any case, India should maintain a balance of relationship between the US and China.

UJAGAR SINGH, Chandigarh

III

The Indo-US relations were never pleasant in the past. However, there was considerable improvement during the NDA rule under the leadership of Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The main reason for bad relations with the US was that India was always friendly with the Communist countries, in total disregard of its own interests. The result: the US favoured a pliable Pakistan.

It is good that the UPA government has not abandoned India’s policy towards the US, in spite of the hindrances created by the Left. The US and India have many common problems, the most serious being terrorism. India is under great difficulty in dealing with Islamic terrorists as it is surrounded by Pakistan and Bangladesh on both sides. The US is in a better position to tackle the menace of terrorism. Good relations will help both countries to tackle terrorism.

ANAND PRAKASH, Panchkula

IV

Americans do not relish the idea of India developing nuclear weapons or trying to emerge as a major power of the 21st century. Still, it is heartening to know that President Bush will extend a red carpet welcome to Dr Manmohan Singh during his forthcoming visit to the US.

Dr Manmohan Singh is keenly interested to improve the Indo-US relations but he is not getting unstinted support and cooperation from the Left parties. As it is, the latter are opposing the Centre’s policies on disinvestment in BHEL, the hike in diesel and petrol prices and, more important, India’s recent defence agreement with the US. Hope wiser counsel would prevail over the Left. The Prime Minister should be given a free hand to improve our relations with the US.

SUBASH C. TANEJA, Rohtak

V

While Indians would always like to extend a hand of friendship with every country, more so with the US, the point is that while Washington wants all countries to join her fight against terrorism, it has never been sincere to condemn crossborder terrorism against India during the last 10 years. When in Delhi, the US leaders speak goody goody words about India. But when they are in Pakistan, they change their language.

An extra length of red carpet for the Indian Prime Minister would not change the bleeding hearts of crores of people here who had not forgotten the treatment meted out to them during the Indo-Pak war in 1971 when the US sent the Seventh fleet in support of Pakistan.

If the Indo-US relations have really changed for the better in recent times, the Bush Administration must give an ultimatum to Pakistan to destroy all its terrorist training camps in the Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir or get ready to be demolished by the Indian Armed forces.

MULTAN SINGH PARIHAR, Jalari-Hamirpur

Neglected railway station Yamunanagar is an important town of Haryana. However, its railway station named Jagadhri, has been in a state of neglect for years. Surprisingly, the people of Jagadhri have no super fast express train to New Delhi after 8.30 a.m. This has affected industrial and economic development of this region. The authorities have not provided a flyover even though there are frequent traffic jams near the Railway Phatak. Karnal got a flyover for the same reason, but not Jagadhri. Jagadhri’s platform is very old. Those in Karnal, Ambala Cantonment and Saharanpur have been upgraded, but the one in Jagadhri has been ignored. Moreover, there are no sitting arrangements for the waiting passengers. The station is also not being maintained properly. As the Jagadhri village is 7 km away from Yamunanagar, the railway station should be renamed as Yamunanagar instead of Jagadhri. SUNIL MINOCHA, Chandigarh