The gruesome manner in which some of our soldiers have lost their lives after attacks by Pakistan reiterates the old point — which is that we as a country take things for granted. Pakistan is a country that sustains itself with provocative acts and by unleashing terror. Much of it has to do with headline-grabbing. With Pakistan, India should do the right things at the right time. We should also sanitise up to 2 km of the border so that this area cannot be used to stage attacks on India. For this, India needs to have the will, the gumption and the ability to manage international opinion. When the U.S. can attack Syria and Afghanistan at will with the intention of “putting down terror”, why can’t we take out the terrorist camps just across the border in Pakistan?
S. Kamat,
Alto Santa Cruz, Goa
Pakistan has never been a trustworthy neighbour. One fails to understand what contribution the institution of SAARC has made to maintain cooperation among its constituent countries vis-à-vis fighting terror. Narendra Modi, immediately upon assuming charge as Prime Minister in 2014, made clear his desire for cordial relations in the neighbourhood. But the fact is that since then, ceasefire violations and soldier deaths are on the rise. Even demonetisation — one reason for which was to defeat cross-border terrorism — has not come to his rescue.
A. Jainulabdeen,
Chennai
