II

The editorial has quite rightly highlighted the ministerial-level talks between the two neighbouring countries (Drive for Indo-Pak peace, July 28).

Peace is the need of the hour, as both the countries have achieved nothing till now after engaging in wars four times. Besides Pakistan’s encouragement to terrorist activities has also not helped them. Cordial relations between both the countries must be maintained at all costs.

However, in the past, similar steps were taken. But Pakistan did not adhere to the agreements, and continued to support terrorist activities against India.

In any case, we must keep in mind the saying — if we want peace, we must be prepared for war. Our armed forces should remain prepared for every eventuality.

LAKSHMI CHAND, Solan

III

I read with interest your thought-provoking editorial, “Drive for Indo-Pak peace” (July 28). Even at the risk of being dubbed as a pessimist, I am not optimistic about the latest Indo-Pak talks. While Pakistan is eternally obsessed with the “K-factor”, India is constantly facing the threat of the “T (terrorism) factor”. Any talks between the two neighbours at this juncture would only be an exercise in self-delusion.

A tough stance by India vis-à-vis the Pakistan-sponsored terrorism would, to my mind, be a better option, under the circumstances.

TARA CHAND, Ambota (Una)

IV

While we in India continue to hope that Pakistan will honour its commitments made to India, Pakistan has all the time shown that it cares little for establishing friendly relations with India (editorial, “Drive for Indo-Pak peace”, July 28). Pakistan Foreign Minister’s visit to New Delhi once again raised our hopes of establishing friendly relations with Pakistan, and now it remains to be seen how it reciprocates.

But Khar’s meeting with the separatist leaders once again proves that there has not been any fundamental shift in Pakistan’s policy.

At a time when the minister came to India and said she hoped and prayed for peace between the two countries, her gesture of holding a meeting with the separatists was inappropriate.

People-to-people contact may not be successful, unless the political establishment in Pakistan allows its people to form their own opinion. It is only when Indians go across the border or they come to India, and we are able to interact freely in an atmosphere of mutual understanding, a new chapter in Indo-Pak relations will begin. But it remains to be seen how keen the Pakistan government is to allow Indians to come to Pakistan and interact with their people.

HARISH JHA, Chandigarh

Punjab politics

The editorial, “CM vs ex-CM” (August 1), should serve as a reminder to the leaders of both the Congress and the SAD that instead of fighting, they should think about the problems of the people.

Debt is one of the issues, which needs to be discussed seriously. There is no need to blame each other. The leaders should not forget that they are not rulers. They are representatives of the people. They cannot simply forget the plight of the common man in their hunger for power.

Besides, the issue of mounting debt, there are many other issues, which should attract the attention of these leaders. Drug-addiction in the state is increasing, and nothing effective has so far been done. This menace has given birth to various other crimes in the state.

Unless these leaders find a way to tackle these problems, things may go out of their hands. The leaders should forget their acrimonious past and work for the welfare of the people. It hardly matters who becomes the Chief Minister. In a democracy, the Opposition is as important as the government. Politics should not hinder progress in the state.

DIPANKAR ARORA, Faridabad

Kargil martyrs

Your editorial, “Remembering Kargil” (July 27), is a great tribute to those great soldiers who died while defending Kargil, defying the deceitful design of the Pakistan Army.

But as usual, our politicians have no time even to remember the contributions of the sons of the soil. Almost daily, the plight of our soldiers is highlighted by newspapers, more so the daring daily, The Tribune, which has always supported the soldiers  in war and peace.

Political leaders do not send their children to the armed forces, and people prefer low risk jobs. This has resulted in shortage of officers in the armed forces.

It is sad that when a soldier’s body is brought to his native place, no minister or any high-ranking official has any time to attend his funeral.

The tragedy is that we do not have leaders of Sardar Patel and Lal Bahadur Shastri’s calibre to take on terrorists with grit and determination. It is a pity that our politicians talk about confidence-building measures, without taking any action against the terrorists.

MULTAN SINGH PARIHAR, Jalari-Hamirpur (HP)