Australia trade pact
Just when the western bloc has been attempting to censure India for circumventing the sanctions regime against Russia, it comes as a whiff of fresh air that Australia, a co-member of the Quad grouping, has extended a much-needed hand of friendship to India with the signing of ECTA (Page 1, April 3). That Canberra is keen on bolstering its ties with India was very clear when, in March, it ceremoniously returned 29 antiquities to India. What is heartening is that Australia is taking a more realistic view of India’s stand on the Ukraine issue than the other members of the Quad. It cannot be denied that bilateral trade has been skewed toward Australia and one hopes that the recently inked ECTA will effectively bridge the wide gap in the trade imbalance between the two countries.
Nalini Vijayaraghavan,
Thiruvananthapuram
The ‘XE’ variant
The report by the World Health Organization is worrisome and reiterates the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over (Page 1, “WHO records new SARS-CoV-2 variant”, April 3). With the ebbing of the third wave, tourist spots are bursting at their seams and COVID-19 protocols are hardly observed. One ought not to forget that there are possibilities of further variants evolving, whose spread may be aided with international flights to India being restored.
Aanya Singhal
Noida, Uttar Pradesh
The report is a worry. In such a scenario, doing away with masks or making it optional, instead of having it as mandatory protocol still, is surprising as some countries are planning to do. Mask wearing has played a crucial role, if not a very substantial one, in acting as a precautionary shield during these testing times. With schools almost functional and children yet to be vaccinated, we are still in the thick of battle.
Balasubramaniam Pavani,
Secunderabad
Democracy in Pakistan
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s fear of external forces being involved in the toppling of his government is justified with a purported letter, from Washington, according to a report in the Dawn, warning of consequences if Mr. Khan is not removed. It is certainly interfering with the loyalty of the people of Pakistan who voted Mr. Khan to power. That the National Assembly has now been dissolved is a step in the right direction. The trial of strength is best tested this way instead of having the Imran Khan government being toppled. The U.S. is notorious for interfering in the internal affairs of several countries. If Mr. Khan loses the election then he will bow down to a fresh and popular verdict.
N.G.R. Prasad,
Chennai
Wrong recipient
I was surprised a few days ago to receive an SMS from AD-CMCPCI (IT Dept.) for PAN *****3536*, asking me to file my “ITR for AY 2021-22”. After recovering from my shock, I realised the message was not for me. I am surprised how this notice was sent to my mobile number. I am more than 80 years old and not an IT assessee. Is it not the duty of the IT department to check all these details? I wonder how IT officials work without any application of mind. I also wonder whether there are other senior citizens who have received such strange messages.
A.S. Gopala Krishnan,
Coimbatore
