Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Misplaced

The belief that the decision of India and Pakistan to put in place an institutional mechanism to counter terror is "a potential breakthrough" (editorial, Sept. 18) is misplaced. Can Pakistan be expected to conduct a fair investigation into cases that involve its own men and material? The so-called breakthrough may serve the short-term interests of the government and the media but carries no significant meaning for the victims of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, particularly those who have had to flee their hometown. The mechanism makes a victim out of an aggressor.

J.L. Ganjoo,
New Delhi

* * *

The worst of jihadi terrorism is not behind but ahead of us. Our security agencies are making valiant efforts to control terrorism despite lack of sufficient political backing. Their task is set to become more difficult as a result of the agreement. The expectation that a state founded on the belief that Hindus and Muslims cannot live together will cooperate with us against jihadi terrorism is an illusion.

Shailesh Kumar,
Bangalore

* * *

While it feels good to be optimistic, we should not lose sight of reality. India has, many times in the past, taken a number of initiatives to resolve bilateral issues with Pakistan, including Kashmir, but its goodwill and trust have not been adequately reciprocated. Pakistan's commitments have been confined to rhetoric in summits. The proposal to establish a joint institutional mechanism to counter terrorism is an exercise in futility. Instead, India should make efforts to bring international pressure to bear on Pakistan to stop fomenting terror in neighbouring countries.

Pradeep Mishra,
Gurgaon, Haryana

* * *

After being militarily defeated in three major wars with India, Pakistan has, over almost two decades, bled India without firing a shot. The proxy war it has launched shows no sign of ending. It has also sought to portray India as the aggressor in all international forums. Continuing the stalled peace process now will put India on the back foot. Our past experience with Pakistan should be our guide to the future.

S. Chidambaresa Iyer,
Mumbai

* * *

Pakistan has all along denied the existence of terrorist training camps on its soil, particularly in PoK. Every time leaders of India and Pakistan meet, they agree to bury the past and resume talks. The most important issue of Kashmir is never discussed but other confidence-building measures are initiated, the latest of which is the proposed mechanism. That Pakistan, which is sheltering hardcore terrorists, can never be a meaningful partner in combating terror is common sense.

K. Sivaraman,
Chennai

* * *

Pakistan and India are engaged in curbing the effect without eliminating the cause. Both countries must examine how their policies have contributed to the rise of terrorism. And then evolve a mechanism to combat terrorism.

Vivek Pathak,
Varanasi, U.P.

* * *

The cartoon (Sept. 19) depicting a scene from the movie Lage Raho Munnabhai was thought provoking. If the Pervez Musharraf-Manmohan Singh partnership can implement a few Gandhian values highlighted in the movie, we are set for winds of change. The cartoon is simple but conveys a lot.

S.P. Nathan,
Chennai

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