India is emerging as an economic superpower in South Asia, and for rapid growth, good cross-border relations are very essential (“‘India-Bangladesh ties a model for South Asia',” Sept. 6). The visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Dhaka will definitely be a milestone. It is a matter of regret that minor irritants cropped up at the last minute.
Robert Christi,Thiruvanthapuram
The soul essence of any relation, be it personal or, for that matter, relations between nations, lies essentially in the trust that each holds for the other. Likewise, Dr. Singh's historic visit to Bangladesh, as part of a transformative agenda, can be viewed as a diplomatic move to enhance trade, transit, water-sharing, security, but more importantly, weighs a strong message of trust and brotherliness which transcend borders. The real challenge will be in the implementation of pacts amid cloudy domestic politics.
Subramanian V.,Chidambaram
The observations of Dr. Gowher Rizvi, Adviser to the Bangladesh Prime Minister, unambiguously demonstrate the Bangladesh government's maturity of political vision. It is heartening that Dhaka has resolved to bury the chequered past and wants to forge a transformative and win-win relationship with India. The State governments in India should realise that the conduct of foreign policy cannot be held hostage to the compulsions of competitive domestic politics. India needs to be perceived as a responsible power that is sensitive to the concerns of its smaller neighbours.
V.N. Mukundarajan,Thiruvananthapuram
