Deal with neighbours

Events of the recent past indicate that the government has no policy in place when it comes to dealing with hostile neighbours. While small countries defy us with impunity, the bigger ones openly challenge us. It is a pity that we haven’t used our economic leverage to negotiate with our smaller neighbours. With Pakistan, armed conflict should no doubt be the last resort but let us not fight shy of acting tough when necessary.

Dealing with China is another cup of tea altogether — we are outnumbered, outgunned, and out-nuked, and its economy is far bigger than ours. An armed conflict is not an option. We should consider aligning with the U.S., Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and other Asian countries that perceive China as a threat. It took just a pair of American B-2 bombers over South Korea for its belligerent northern neighbour to stop its nuclear sabre rattling.

Deshabhimani Rao,

Bangalore