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Joint mechanism

The Government may pat itself for coming to an agreement on setting up a joint mechanism with Pakistan to counter terror in the subcontinent. But the people of India cannot share the euphoria. It would be naïve to believe that by making a policeman out of a thief, robbery can be eliminated. With almost all terror activities around the world being traced to Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf was facing flak from the international community. Hence the agreement to project him as a dove. Predictably, Manmohan Singh walked into the trap.

V. Venkatasubramanian,
Mumbai

* * *

While Gen. Musharraf has apparently agreed to jettison a state policy that Pakistan has followed for decades, we cannot overlook certain factors. The role of the ISI, for instance. Despite official Pakistan siding with the U.S. in the war on terror, the ISI's un-severed links with Al-Qaeda is one of the main reasons for the failure to capture Osama bin Laden. With no proof of any change in the ISI's attitude towards India, the agreement could well prove counterproductive.

K.S. Ramakrishnan,
Chennai

* * *

The General has once again outwitted us diplomatically. From the Shimla Agreement to the Lahore declaration, the agreements and joint statements are not worth the paper on which they were signed. Yet again, India has proudly announced that it has made some headway in the peace process. But literally speaking, the Havana joint statement is an addition to the accumulating heap of dust.

R. Ashok,
Coimbatore

* * *

There was greater euphoria when India and Pakistan resumed talks in 2004. But nothing much has changed since then. India has continued to face terror attacks sponsored by forces across the border. Can the institutional mechanism on terrorism prevent terror strikes on Indian soil? Will it help India nab the most wanted criminals sheltered by Pakistan? Pakistan is as reluctant today as it was earlier on curbing terrorism against India.

Naveen Marrapu,
Hyderabad

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