Sure, the absence of dialogue with Pakistan is hurting India (Feb. 2). It hurts Pakistan even more. For over six decades, India has shown patience in dealing with Pakistan, hoping for reciprocity. But Pakistan has always sought to reject the hand of friendship. Its aim was to defeat India, with the claim that one Pakistani was equal to 10 Indians. When it failed repeatedly, it began indulging in a proxy war to weaken India. There may be a few Pakistanis who want friendly ties with India. But they are powerless against the jihadis who do not mind blowing up Pakistan if that can harm India. How can we engage with a country, one part of which is ready to talk peace while the other is waiting to stab us in the back?
R. Narasimhan,
Chennai
I am in total agreement with Siddharth Varadarajan’s views. The India-Pakistan ties were moving in a satisfactory manner till the Mumbai terror attack took place. It is a fact that Pakistan is a greater sufferer at the hands of terrorists. It is also a fact that terrorism grew to such alarming proportions due to Pakistan’s own policies, particularly those of Zia-ul-Haq. If Pakistan’s terror machine survives and thrives, no one can guarantee the security of India, Pakistan, the U.S. or even the U.N. Any number of threats from New Delhi to Islamabad will not help. India should display Gandhian compassion towards Pakistan and offer it help to win its war against terrorism.
Chaman Lal,
New Delhi
