The Hindu : Change with the times

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Sep 15, 2003

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Change with the times

Sir, — I refer to the editorial, "Strategic delusions" ( Sept. 11 ) , and other news items preceding Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's visit to India, which you opposed on the ground that it will jeopardise our traditional friendship with the Arab world and dilute our stand on Palestine. While it is true that Mr. Sharon's Palestine policy is Machiavellian, the Palestinian leadership too has failed to rein in the terrorist elements within its movement. And our `traditional' Arab friends have failed to block the anti-India resolution at subsequent OIC meetings, let alone backing India on the Kashmir issue. Mr. Sharon's visit shows that India's foreign policy is tuning itself to the changing global geo-political scene.

Kuldeep Pegu,

Delhi

* * *

Sir, — It is no longer the issue of who is right and who is wrong. If it is the question of reviving the issue of a Palestinian state, it is also a question of Israel's survival. It is time we focussed on our interests and dealt on equal terms with our West Asian friends.

S. Rajagopalan,

Chennai

* * *

Sir, — Your editorial was timely. India can have close ties with Israel in defence, industry and agriculture. But we should not emulate it in our fight against terrorism. As Mr. Sharon himself put it, the Zionists have been fighting terrorism for 120 years. But they have not succeeded. Individual terrorism cannot be stopped by state terrorism.

K.G.P. Pillai,

California, U.S.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Opinion

News Update

Stories in this Section

Guns and roses

A question of credibility

Waiting in the wings

Nothing but conspiracies

Looking beyond SAARC

A stunning blow

Change with the times