II

The efforts of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown to contain the nefarious designs of Pakistan have ended up in futility. Rather Pakistan’s establishment has shown an impudent face and ignored the international opinion against terrorism. 

 Instead of nabbing the terrorists,  it has created a war phobia. Nothing unites Pakistan like a confrontation with India which also brings the army to the forefront. 

Our government should understand this very clearly that the high pressure diplomacy by Ms Rice and Mr Brown was only a lip service just to cool down India’s anger.

  In the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attacks, it is crystal clear that Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and his government have no control over the Army-ISI combine, or the jihadis, and there is little hope that they ever will.  

The   ISI is actively helping and using the terror outfits to bleed India through its nefarious  designs and to engage India  in the proxy war.

Now , when both countries are back to square one, Mr Dua’s conclusion is most appropriate that the least the New Delhi can do is to immediately call off the dialogue, letting Pakistan know that sub- continental peace cannot be ensured by India alone .

At present, peace with Pakistan is a distant dream. The future alone will tell which way the winds of  the Indian subcontinent are  going to blow.

SUMAN KUKAL, Chandigarh                                           

III

The Mumbai attacks clearly indicate that those behind the terrorist killings are based in our neighbouring country. Pakistan continues to have terrorist training camps.

The people of India are watching as to how the Indian government will act The Indian government should severe or at least suspend diplomatic ties with Pakistan, till it comes down heavily upon the terrorists operating from its soil.

SIMMI MOHINDRU, Jalandhar

IV

Peace is not a one-way traffic. It takes two to make peace. Mr Pranab Mukherjee is “keeping all options open” to tackle the post 26/11 situation. What is needed is prompt action. However, it would be prudent to exercise restraint and better not to take a hawkish position. In a war, ultimately it is humanity that will bleed.

PRAN SALHOTRA, Gurdaspur.

  UP’s shame

The involvement of BSP MLA Shekhar Tiwari in the murder of PWD engineer Manoj Gupta at Auraiya (UP) simply because the engineer refused to be a part of fund-raising drive for hi-fi birthday celebrations of the Chief Minister Mayawat is most abominable. Has UP become a banana republic?

Sadly, things in India will not improve till our political system is changed. Every political party at present patronises tainted persons and gives them tickets and makes them people’s representatives.

It is for the Supreme Court to intervene in the interest of security and welfare of the general public by taking suo motu cognisance of killing of engineer Manoj Gupta. Also, there should be a complete ban on birthday celebrations in public by those occupying  seats of power.

SUBHASH CHANDRA AGRAWAL, New Delhi