In the aftermath of the attack on Parliament the popular mood in India is that of a hot pursuit of terrorists across the loc ("In Cold Pursuit", December 24). Having served on the loc for many years, I can vouch that such a move will amount to launching a full-scale war. I would advocate that we use our diplomatic skills and bring international pressure to force Musharraf to defang the jehadis that he has nurtured so far. With international opinion heightened against terrorist activity, this may be our best chance. Sending the armed forces across is an easy option for a government that does not want to work on opening a diplomatic front. But not only will it fail to achieve the objective, it may even turn out to be counter-productive.

Lt-colonel (retd) Nilesh Korgaokar, Mumbai

We, the Solution

Jairam Ramesh's viewpoint reflects the servile mentality of the Indian political leadership ("13/12 and the US", December 24). Inviting the US to resolve the disputes between India and Pakistan would amount to a direct intrusion on India's sovereignty. India is capable of formulating her own domestic and foreign policies; what we need to do is to discard our defeatist attitude and adopt a proactive outlook.

Ashish Thakare, on e-mail

I do not agree with Jairam Ramesh that without friendly persuasion by the US, India and Pakistan cannot come close together. The US is so obsessed with its war against terrorism that it is in no mood to even offer friendly advice to its ally Pakistan to engage in a constructive dialogue with India. The steady influx of Al Qaida fugitives into Pakistan means that the US now needs President Pervez Musharraf's military regime more than ever before. Also, Musharraf, having already earned the wrath of the Taliban and its Pakistani sympathisers, would not dare to further antagonise the jehadi elements in Kashmir as that would virtually sound the death knell for his rule.

Ajay B. Pradhan, Nashik

Out of Favour

Reading the article I felt I was reading "Australia Today" or "England Today" ("Grand Stand Player", December 10). It described Jagmohan Dalmiya, someone who fought against the indiscrimination the Indian team has faced for years, as "manipulative" and "cynical". The Aussie media portrayed Dalmiya and Sourav Ganguly as "self-righteous". So where is the difference between their media and ours? Every Indian should be proud of the way Dalmiya handled the situation. His took the stand which every Indian desired against the biased decisions of Mike Denness. The article displayed once again why India was ruled by England for 200 years.

Rajat Roy, on e-mail

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