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Peace with Pakistan

The article "Who is afraid of peace with Pakistan?" (April 26) is a timely reminder to the Indian policy makers that our country has the strength to handle even complex and difficult issues through democracy. The hardcore security establishment must realise this. The article has pointed to a crucial aspect — India's ability to defeat any kind of militaristic or jihadi takeover of Kashmir and the obligation to ensure that the people of the State do not lose faith in democracy. The objective can be achieved only by giving up the prevailing paranoia.

George Mathew,
New Delhi

* * *

The author has rightly emphasised that for a satisfactory solution to emerge on the Kashmir issue, the Government should accept that there is no dishonour in exploring the flexibility in the Constitution to satisfy the demand for self-governance in Kashmir. All political parties should give a firm assurance that if they form the government at the Centre, they will accept that apart from the subjects acceded in 1947 — defence, foreign affairs, communication, currency — to the Central Government, the rest of the subjects will vest in the Jammu and Kashmir Government. Some people may argue that this will create a special category. But Jammu and Kashmir is a special case and is recognised as such in the Constitution.

Rajindar Sachar,
New Delhi

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Substantial progress in peace talks is possible only when Pakistan abandons its policy of terror against India. Accusing Indian agencies and the army of having a "strong institutional stake in continuation of a conflict with Pakistan" is highly irresponsible. The Indian Army stays in the barracks and is totally under the control of civilian leadership. The ingrained hostility in Pakistan towards India is well documented and not perceived. The article, which is about peace with Pakistan, is silent on the plight of Kashmiri Pandits.

Prasant G. Nair,
Kottayam, Kerala

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The article is needlessly harsh on the NDA Government and the armed forces fraternity. It is the Pakistan Army that has strong institutional stake in continuation of a conflict with India. The NDA Government pulled back its troops from the borders despite Pakistan's vulnerability that arose from deploying four divisions on the Afghan front on U.S. demand.

Brig. (retd.) V.R.P. Sarathy,
Chennai

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