While it is true that harmonious relations with the U.S. are necessary in order to speed up reforms (“ >Bid to go beyond defence sales ,” Jan.25), still India should avoid tilting the scales in favour of Washington in a manner that affects its time-tested relations with Russia. A strategic ‘ganging- up’ by Russia, China and Pakistan against India could prove extremely harmful to India’s interests in the region. While matters like the nuclear deal or a new defence framework are bound to be high on President Obama’s agenda, he must also put credible pressure on Pakistan to end its asymmetric war against India. The country’s economic growth could stall if we are not serious about terrorism. Reform alone is not the answer. The visiting leader must now wake up to the reality that India’s concerns about cross-border terrorism are real and not manufactured. India must be also adept at negotiating a deal with the U.S. to declare it a terrorist state if it doggedly pursues cross-border-terrorism as an instrument of state policy.
Kangayam R. Narasimhan,
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The
Akshay Viswanathan,
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Mere visits by heads of state, in this case reputedly the world’s most powerful man, are not going to change the state of bilateral relations. What is needed is a structured dialogue where there is forward movement in the areas of defence, IPRs, IT, travel and energy-related issues.
Prathit Charan Misra,
Allahabad
We have been taught that Republic Day is celebrated to honour the day on which the Constitution came into force. But from what is to happen, I have yet to see anything being done to honour this commitment. All talk is only about the U.S. President, with the day losing even its symbolic meaning and values. The only evidence is of the manifestation of capitalism. There is to be a “U.S.-India CEO Conclave” on the day, and it will be a “historic event” according to Diane Farrell, the U.S.-India Business Council president. More than 600 CEOs and investors are to attend the conclave and there is unprecedented enthusiasm among U.S. investors especially after the series of ordinances that have been promulgated. Republic Day seems to have been hijacked, thanks to Modi-nomics.
Dheeraj Kumar,
Ranchi