PICTURE SPEAK

"Big Step Forward", August 1

"In the bilateral ties between the two nations, the fact is the US is the undisputed rider and India, the proverbial horse."

Wing Commander (Retd) S.C. Kapoor, Noida

Move with Caution

The warm welcome accorded to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Washington shows that the world's oldest democracy and the world's largest democracy have come a long way since the Cold War era when Indo-US relations traversed more rough than smooth edges ("Big Step Forward", August 1). But India should not overlook the warnings of history that is replete with the US reneging on its promises and attaching unreasonable price tags for its cooperation. Nevertheless, while the going is good, India should ensure that its dealing with the US remain strictly on a one-to-one basis and that bilateral trade maintains a balanced export-import ratio.

Nalini Vijayaraghavan, Thiruvananthapuram

Manmohan Singh's US visit has opened the floodgates of high expectations. The understanding with President George W. Bush that India can be a trustworthy partner in nuclear cooperation is key to the future of US-India relations. But what is vexing is the Left's politicisation of India's foreign policy. The UPA Government must not take such anti-US monologues seriously and ensure that what has been achieved bilaterally is not diluted by the Left's intrigues.

Dhirendra Mishra, Allahabad

Whether the US accepts the nuclear capability of India or extends economic assistance to India on the coveted fronts, the real test for better and closer relations between the two nations is how far the US will cow down Pakistan cognisably to call a halt to the misadventurous terrorist acts against India and its apparent territorial claims to Kashmir. Especially since India has been spending heavily, financially and diplomatically, to wrest this much-needed US strategic support in the interest of peace in the subcontinent.

S.S. Ramanatha Rao, Bangalore

One should not get overly optimistic about Indo-US relations. For decades US policy had tilted towards our not so friendly neighbour. So this sudden paradigm shift is a little hard to grasp. All said and done, this move shows the strength that India is gaining. As the prime minister said in his speech, the "voice of the world largest democracy cannot be left unheard any more". The sooner the rest of the world realises this, the better.

Debgiri Bhowmick, on e-mail

By and large, America's decision to grant legitimacy to India's nuclear endeavours is more an attempt to increase its influence in south-east Asia and less to showcase India's real image. India must not ignore this while anticipating its kind gestures with open arms. After all, the country has made tremendous progress in reshaping its relationship with China which must have bothered US think tanks. This perceptible shift in US strategic and economic interests with India should be welcomed while not losing sight of its own concerns. Let's not forget that when it comes to the US, "foul becomes fair".

Arvind K. Pandey, Allahabad

Nuclear Fusion

The Manmohan-Bush accord will undoubtedly go a long way in ensuring a steady supply of nuclear fuel to India ("The Nuclear Fallout", August 1). Even though Bush may face the music in the US Congress for giving India much leeway, this accord will enable India to convince other recognised nuclear powers to provide fuel uninterruptedly.

Jinu Mathew, on e-mail

Even cynics will concede that a major breakthrough has been achieved in India's relations with the US. India had been the target of US sanctions since 1974 when it first exploded a nuclear device. Now it looks like this is all set to change with the US recognising India as a responsible state with advanced nuclear technology, and the US concession that India should acquire the same benefits and advantages as other such states.

J. Akshay, Secunderabad

Late Realisation

That Pakistan was the breeding ground for terrorists was known to western countries for many years now ("Over to the General", August 1). The US especially used terrorists against the Soviets in Afghanistan. They turned a Nelson's eye towards the madarsas in Pakistan that were the breeding ground of militants. The US and its allies are now reaping what they sowed earlier.

D. Manikyala Rao, Gudivada

After the London blasts, one has to take every word of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf with caution. Musharraf may have appealed to the youth to launch a jehad against religious extremists but the fact remains that Pakistan is the hub of terrorism. He has asked all madarsas to register in order to make them more transparent. But these schools are operating out of the ambit of government control and are funded privately. Trying to monitor them is not as easy as it seems.

Sreeni K.R., Thrissur

It Takes Two to Tango

Ideological hatred and religious seminaries alone cannot be blamed for the happenings in London ("All Eyes on Pakistan", August 1). The policies of the western countries, especially the US and the UK, towards the problems in the Middle East are equally responsible for the dismal situation. It takes two to tango. The West has to change its policies towards the Muslim world if it has to rid the world of terrorists. These hydra-headed terror outfits are driven by the ideology of religious hatred, which is against the basic tenets of Islam.

Syed Hasan Kazim, Muzaffarpur

Terrorism may be a new thing for the US and the UK, but India has been feeling its heat for the past 50 years. The world should treat terrorism as the No. 1 problem today. We should change the mindset of the youth so that they don't turn into suicide bombers.

Aurobinda Panda, on e-mail

BAD PRESS OR BAD BOY?

After the statement of Maharashtra Home Minister R.R. Patil confirming that film actor Salman Khan's phones were tapped in 2001 to see if he had any links with Mumbai's underworld crime syndicates, it has become essential to transfer the case to the CBI ("Boomerang Boy", August 1). It must be thoroughly investigated if the actor had links with those involved in the Bombay blasts, and if proved, he must be punished. Madhu Agrawal, Delhi What is unfortunate is that Salman's bad boy image is highlighted in the media whereas his good deeds and philanthropic activities are not. Bal Govind, Bareilly Only if Aishwarya Rai confirms the authenticity of the tapes should any action be taken against Salman. Mahesh Kumar, Delhi

Enigma of Politics

The trauma faced by Vasundhara Raje shows that the BJP is no different from the Congress in its treatment of its leaders ("The Shadow of the Guru", August 1). What a backward state like Rajasthan needs is a progressive chief minister like Raje. But politics in India functions on its own strange mechanism. For an Indian politician, efficiency and integrity are liabilities rather than assets and Raje does not seem to be an exception.

T.S. Pattabhi Raman, on e-mail

Buying Time

L.K. Advani has got only a few months to make a dignified exit as president of the BJP ("Leader Downsized", August 1). In hindsight, he should have refused to accept the post when it was first offered to him after the party's debacle in the 2004 Lok Sabha polls. It is clear that Advani cannot ride two horses at the same time and so has to groom someone to take over the party's presidency.

D.B.N. Murthy, Bangalore

An Evil Charm

One fails to understand Pottermania ("The Spell Is Broken", August 1). The Harry Potter books glorify magic and sorcery. Also, many of the characters in these books lie blatantly, use profanities, disrespect their elders, violate rules and are unrepentant. Therefore, these books cannot be labelled as "children's books".

Amjad K. Maruf, Mumbai

Index