Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Dealing with Pakistan

This refers to the editorial “Keeping up the pressure” (Dec. 27). On seeing the attitude of Pakistani leaders towards India, which has observed exemplary restraint in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks, I am reminded of a fable. A fox followed a lion, trying to bite its tail. The lion continued to walk, keeping its tail safe between its legs. A monkey watching this said the lion was a coward. The lion told the monkey: “Everyone knows I am the king. I am trying to keep my tail safe not because I am a coward but to avoid being provoked to the point of killing the fox.” This is majestic restraint.

Col. Ram Gulrajani (retd.),

Chennai

By urging the U.S., China and Saudi Arabia to put pressure on Islamabad to take concrete action against the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks, India has taken a step in the right direction. Whatever the provocation by Pakistan, India should not choose the war option. Already, India’s economy is on the decline due to the global economic recession. As rightly stated in the editorial, India should continue to persevere with a strategy of being firm but restrained.

C.A.C. Murugappan,

Kothamangalam

It is evident that Islamabad believes that India lacks the will and courage to resort to pre-emptive strikes in Pakistani territory. At a time when Pakistan is facing the worst financial crisis, it needed an issue to divert popular attention. The Pakistan army was in need of an excuse to move its forces away from the NWFP, where it is fighting a reluctant battle with Islamist terrorists. The Mumbai attacks have come in handy.

D. Sindhuraj,

Kollam

Pakistan is resorting to gimmicks to divert the attention of the international community from the real issue. Instead of taking concrete action against those responsible for the Mumbai attacks, it is creating war hysteria to provoke India into a war. It is under great pressure from the U.S. to fight a war on the Afghanistan border, while its army is wary of engaging the Taliban. Pakistan has found an excuse to move its army to its eastern border.

India is a responsible and mature state, and it has always made efforts to establish friendly relations with its neighbours. It does not have to prove its strength by declaring a war on Pakistan, which is a failing state.

Abdun Nasir Ali,

New Delhi

The terrorists who struck on 26/11 are indeed of Pakistani origin — a fact confirmed by Ajmal Amir Iman ‘Kasab’ but Pakistan still wants evidence. Although its initial response to the Mumbai attacks was encouraging, it seems to have buckled under the army’s pressure. One hopes wiser counsel will prevail on its leaders.

E. Sivasankaran,

Coimbatore

A lawyer started arguing with his friend that a crow is not black. Unable to convince him, the friend got hold of a crow. He gave the lawyer physical proof of the fact that a crow is black. The lawyer, to the utter astonishment of his friend, took a look at the crow and declared: “this is not a crow.” What is obvious for all is not so for some.

T.V.A. Ram,

New Delhi

The relations between India and Pakistan have always been chequered, marked by mistrust and hostility. Each time they go to the brink of a conflict, we wonder whether they will ever be able to live as peaceful neighbours. Is Pakistan really as irresponsible as to send its Foreign Minister to advance the peace process with India and send terrorists by sea to do exactly the opposite? Or, is India not willing to address the root cause of the hostilities?

While the loss of innocent lives in Mumbai cannot be underplayed, it is also a fact that Pakistan continues to suffer from similar acts of terrorism that may be linked to India. Ajmal Amir may be of Pakistani origin but he did not act at the Pakistan government’s behest. The entire nation cannot be held responsible for an individual’s act of madness. For the sake of peace and prosperity in the region, the Indian government will have to act responsibly. What bigger assurance does it need than a promise that the perpetrators, if they are from Pakistan, will be brought to justice? While India can gain from the so-called surgical strikes, it may not be able to control their outcome.

Ali Faisal,

Lahore

The basic issue is terrorism emanating from Pakistan, which the country is not willing to address. Although international public opinion is in India’s favour, Pakistan is unable to do much because terrorism is supported by its army. It is, therefore, resorting to diversionary tactics. India should handle the situation carefully.

Avadhani Adinarayana,

Machilipatnam

P. Ramesh,

Karimnagar

New Delhi should indulge in visible posturing to counter the sabre-rattling by Islamabad. An average Indian must feel that his government is handling the situation tactfully to put fear in the minds of Pakistanis. Our appeal to other nations to warn Pakistan is a sign of a weakness that does not exist.

J.V. Reddy,

Nellore

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