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Unique opportunity

This refers to the editorial “India-Pakistan: unique opportunity” (May 6). The fanciful notion that India can launch an attack, like the U.S. did in Abbottabad on May 1, on Pakistan to root out extremism is not only absurd but also impractical. First, India is not a superpower and does not have the technological capabilities of the U.S. Second, although Pakistan did not like the way the Osama episode turned out, it is helpless since it gets billions of dollars in aid from the U.S.

Third, the U.S. spent billions piecing together intelligence, through technology and human spies, and was almost certain when it hit the target. Diplomacy and strengthening of relations through sincere efforts are the best approach to address the problems between India and Pakistan.

Varad Seshadri,

Sunnyvale

The claim by some that India can conduct a U.S.-type raid in Pakistan to flush out the perpetrators of the Mumbai attack is nothing but foolhardy. It would be impossible to defend our action before the international community, let alone ensure success. The fragile relationship between India and Pakistan cannot be compared with that of the U.S. and Pakistan because Pakistan, whether governed by the military or civilians, has always had a quid pro quo with the U.S. India has no option but to continue to engage Pakistan in talks.

B.M. Baliga,

Bangalore

The U.S. violated Pakistan's sovereignty with impunity when its Special Forces broke into Osama bin Laden's hideout in Abbottabad and killed him without taking Pakistan into confidence. While one may not agree with Pakistan's policy of using terrorism as a state policy, the way to deal with it is not by breaking whatever remains of civil society in that country to shreds. Let us sympathise with the people of Pakistan whose borders have been violated. The Abbottabad operation is as much an unwelcome act for Pakistan as was 26/11 for us.

I also believe India has handled Ajmal Kasab in a more civilised and decent manner compared to the U.S.'s act of shooting an unarmed man in cold blood.

D.N. Prahlad,

Bangalore

That the Pakistani establishment is caught in a cleft stick and faces international opprobrium is no reason for us to exult over its discomfiture. A beleaguered Islamabad, not wanting to confront the U.S., has merely protested against the latter's unilateral action on its soil. But it is quite willing, even eager, to up the ante against India.

The U.S. can afford to be forthright in warning Pakistan of an encore but India has to be guarded in its statements, taking care not to whip up confrontationist rhetoric.

R. Ravichandran

Chennai

This refers to the warning by Pakistan army and Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir that any misadventure would be responded to strongly — in response to statements suggesting that India too has the capability to enter Pakistan undetected, like the U.S. did to capture Osama bin Laden. The Indian army is certainly capable of carrying out a similar operation. But it is a mature and restrained force. India does not believe in meddling with the internal affairs of other countries and it has never attacked a country.

K.S. Sailesh,

Thrissur

The war of words between India and Pakistan will not particularly help bilateral talks and the peace process. India stands for international peace and cooperation between neighbouring countries. An Abbottabad-like operation is certainly not advisable or suitable for India.

At the same time, Pakistan should have the responsibility to hand over the terrorists wanted in India in the interest of justice. It should give up its dual stand of protecting the terrorists and claiming to be an ally in the war against terror.

B. Prabha,

Thiruvananthapuram

The killing of the most wanted al-Qaeda terrorist and subsequent developments in Pakistan appear to have terrified its rulers. Mr. Bashir's statement should be viewed in that context. Our military leadership provoked the Pakistani establishment saying it can adopt the same tactic to destroy the terror outfits operating against India. Pakistan, helpless against the U.S., got the opportunity to vent its ire.

P.O. Sivasankar Menon,

Palakkad

One cannot but pity Pakistan's leaders who are forced to come out with a feeble defence of their shortcomings time and again. It is hard to believe that Pakistan's intelligence did not know Osama was hiding in a house so close to Islamabad. The U.S. deserves to be commended for its relentless pursuit of the mission to track down its enemy number one.

C.M. Umanath,

Kozhikode

Pakistan is already in an uncomfortable position, after being thoroughly exposed by Osama's discovery and killing on its soil. Forced to keep silent against the Big Brother, it seems to have found a convenient punching bag in India to vent its frustration.

Deepa Nagaraj,

Bangalore

It looks like Pakistan is scared of India launching a surprise attack, American style. Even if our army is capable of it, our politicians will not allow it. They prefer to write in impeccable English to their counterparts in Pakistan, which throws the letters into trash bins.

M. Krishnan,

Chennai

It was not the incompetence of the ISI or the Pakistan government that resulted in Osama hiding in Abbottabad. They deliberately denied any knowledge of his presence because they were his hardcore supporters and were determined to protect him till his natural death. This being Pakistan's attitude towards its so-called ally in the fight against terror, how can a soft country like India expect it to help in nabbing Dawood Ibrahim? Or, for that matter, launch a Hollywood movie-style operation — as the U.S. did in Osama's case?

A.L. Narayana,

Visakhapatnam

It is difficult to believe that the U.S. lacked intelligence about the whereabouts of Osama who lived in a not-so-remote place that one wouldn't think of as a fugitive's abode. With its technology and intelligence, it can track down anyone it wishes to. It is also hard to believe that the Pakistani intelligence was kept in the dark about this operation. The U.S. has been gradually but constantly increasing its physical presence on the Islamic world of Asia.

R. Anand,

Bangalore

It is well known that the perpetrators of the Mumbai attack are safe in Pakistan. After the Osama operation, Islamabad's lie has been clearly exposed. India may not be able to do what the U.S. did but it can pressure Pakistan to hand over the terrorists.

V.S. Ganeshan,

Bangalore

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