The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Pakistan's decision

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 03, 2004

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Pakistan's decision

Sir, — This is with reference to the editorial "Can the army make do with less?" (May 1). The compulsions of Pakistan to reduce its army by 50,000 personnel should not lead us to make similar reductions. Unless an honest attempt is made by Pakistan to completely stop abetting terrorism, the involvement of our Army in counter-terrorism operations cannot be reduced. Rather than debating on the reduction of strength, it is time we concentrated on bringing in a viable political solution to the problem of insurgency in Kashmir and the Northeast.

Lt. Col. (retd.) R.V.S. Mani,
Madurai, T.N.

* * *

Sir, — As you have rightly observed, so long as cross-border terrorism continues, India cannot downsize the Army. Though cross-border terrorism and insurgency cannot be fought by the Army alone, deploying it in patrol duties of troubled areas is quite appropriate. Modern war is no longer fought on battlefields in the conventional sense.

J. Sankaran,
Chennai

* * *

Sir, — India has maintained the strength of its armed forces based on a perceived threat from Pakistan, escalating its military budget every year. In view of the changing scenario of improved bilateral ties, should we not also consider reducing our defence forces? The funds can be used to meet other basic needs.

A.K. Tharien,
Oddanchatram, T.N.

* * *

Sir, — As a matching confidence-building measure, India's army should start shedding flab.

S. Kuppuswamy,
Bangalore

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

Opinion

News Update

Stories in this Section

BLOWING THE WHISTLE

GENOMICS AND HEALTH

The making of coalitions

Gaza: pullout or consolidation?

Vajpayee magic on the wane in U.P.