Lives have little value?

Sir, - India and Israel are fundamentally in similar situations. Both nations face determined, armed and aggressive adversaries causing destruction within their territories. Both are squabbling, bickering democracies lacking a majority government. Both face external pressures in their security policies.

But there is a huge difference. The Bush administration in the U.S. is in complete agreement with Israel regarding its policy of no negotiations under fire. Whereas, the U.S. always insists that India open a dialogue with Pakistan and its Islamic terrorists. The only reason why an outsider can dare put pressure on us is that the Indian Government has shown that it does not value its citizens or its sovereignty. If our Government starts valuing the lives of the citizens and army men, if our Government starts retaliating in kind for every Pakistani terrorist attack, if our Government starts showing that it cares for our independence, others will begin to understand. Nobody meddles with a self- respecting nation willing to actively defend itself. Look at Israel, China or even Pakistan.

Ravinder Balain,

Chandigarh

Sir, - While extending the ceasefire, the Vajpayee Government said it will make provisions to protect the soft targets (ie, non-Muslims) and the armed forces. Does it mean our Government had thought of these as expendable since the start of the ceasefire? No wonder Cabinet reports have commented upon our civilian and military deaths as ``acceptable losses'' and ``minor setbacks''.

Gurinder Singh Dhillon,

New Delhi

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