This refers to the cover story Dragon At The Door (June 29). With the PLA having made inroads deep into the disputed areas along the LAC, the Indian army faces a formidable challenge. Restoring the status quo would test the Indian government’s negotiation skills. The muscular nationalism that the BJP swears by is at stake. The brutal killings of 20 soldiers have pushed Modi into a corner—some retaliation alone can save his image of a strong, decisive leader. Comparisons with Pakistan are obvious, but Modi knows that China is no Pakistan. The pros and cons will have to be weighed carefully before the next move. The blame for this situation rests with the Indian government. There were reports of China intruding into Ladakh since March, but there was no urgency to deal with the matter. The recent bloody fracas has led both countries to harden their positions, so chances of escalation cannot be ruled out.
Vijai Pant, On E-Mail
India has always tried to be accommodative and friendly with China, while China has been belligerent. The story goes back to the great betrayal of 1962. In light of the violent clashes between Indian and Chinese soldiers in Ladakh, India extending undeserved hospitality to Xi Jinping in 2014 seems foolish. Besides claiming Indian territories, China has been supporting Pakistan. It has also emboldened Nepal, an old friend of India, to stake claim on Indian territory. Tension-free relations with an expansionist China is just wishful thinking—New Delhi must be practical. India’s China policy and ties with Taiwan need to be reset. Strategic support for the ongoing movements in Tibet and Hong Kong against Beijing is another option.
M.C. Joshi, Lucknow
The boycott of China-made goods may not hurt for now, but India needs to become self-reliant regardless. Many nations are taking similar actions as they do not want to be dependent on China. Some are ensuring that their supply chains are more diversified. If India has to protect its indigenous industries and jobs, it has to take a pragmatic stand by imposing duties on Chinese imports, just as Trump did. Trade is a powerful instrument. Global Times, the voice of the Chinese Communist Party, is alarmed at the rising calls for a boycott. India is a big market. It should weaponise trade as China often does. With the pandemic, the world’s backlash against China is picking up momentum.
H.N. Ramakrishna, Bangalore
Routine Chinese transgressions into Indian territory were a premeditated act. China’s devious way of skirting the agreement of no firearms by using barbed wire and rods was barbaric. It thinks that by aggressively pursuing military options and passively pursuing economic interests through state-sponsored companies, it might become powerful. But it is mistaken. The world is slowly but surely recognising its misguided plans. India must respond both with short- and long-term strategies to counter their plans.
Ashok Goswami, Mumbai
China’s strategy is to periodically annex small portions of Indian territory through stealth and deceit. Now, in the guise of doing military exercises in the Tibetan plateau, it has intruded into eastern Ladakh. In its eagerness to please China, India lacked the will to question the transgressions and relied merely on diplomacy. It is also intriguing that both Ajit Doval and Bipin Rawat are keeping a low profile at this critical hour. However, India’s military capabilities have grown manifold over the past decades and China must pay now for the martyrdom of 20 Indian soldiers. Besides boycotting Chinese goods and cancelling major business contracts, India must upgrade its diplomatic ties with Taiwan. The LAC is 3,448km long and it is uncertain where the Chinese will intrude next. So, to counter more incursions across international borders in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, India must intensify patrolling in these areas.
R. Narasimhan, Chennai Kangayam
This refers to The Trunk Call Is An SOS (June 15). Just about everybody partook in the furore over the inadvertent killing of a pregnant elephant in Kerala. However, most of them turn a blind eye to the horrendous plight of emaciated street animals. During the lockdown, thousands of cattle were abandoned, unfed and uncared for. But in a country where we forced lakhs of people to walk back home without food or water, what else can we expect? As for wild animals, stringent laws alone cannot provide succour to them when we keep destroying their habitats for mining and industries.
M. Haseen Ahmed, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
This refers to Small Scale, Mega Mess (June 15). The lockdown has been a double whammy for MSMEs. Their working capital has been wiped out and workers have left at a time when businesses are reopening. When they should have gone home, they were forced to stay put and when the nation started opening, they were allowed to go back. The government’s stimulus package seems good, but whether it will reach MSMEs is the question. Unless the government ensures proper delivery and implementation, chances are that MSMEs may not be able to turn around.
Mumbai Bholey Bhardwaj
Bravo Salik Ahmad! The column on the web Dear Editor, I Disagree With Your ‘Both-Sides’ Journalism (June 17) is on point. For some time now, I have been wondering whether it’s the same Outlook magazine of Vinod Mehta that I used to read. In the name of ‘both-sides’ journalism, inveterate liars have been peddling their hate-filled propaganda on the magazine’s pages.
Bhaskar P., Bangalore
Surviving in Bollywood requires more than talent, especially for those who are outsiders like Sushant Singh Rajput (No One’s Godson, June 29). A master of his craft, he portrayed sensitive characters in reel life. In real life, unfortunately, Bollywood demands a thick skin to successfully negotiate the ups and downs of one’s career. Sushant wasn’t that type. He was a deep thinker, a loner away from the petty politicking of the film industry. Despite his acting skills, new projects were hard to come by, pushing him into depression. The film industry, instead of understanding his predicament, showed its callousness with unforgiving crass remarks against the actor.
Kamna Chhabra, Gurgaon
This refers to the special issue COVID-19: All We Know, All We Don’t (June 22). The contention that the lockdown averted greater mortality is not convincing. The declaration of the complete lockdown with four hours notice on March 24 was the Centre’s unilateral decision—chief ministers and Opposition parties were not consulted and its impact was not considered. It was a shock for the nation, just like demonetisation. The matter could have been handled in a more democratic manner. There should have been consultations with all stakeholders. Stranded people should have been given a chance to reach their destinations. The Opposition and experts should have got an opportunity to make suggestions. After all, the sky was not falling. Arranging speedy tests on a war footing should have been given the top priority in the first stage of contagion. If these measures were taken, the honest, hardworking masses, nicknamed ‘migrants’, would have suffered less. The whole issue was dealt with in a shoddy manner. Our rulers wrought huge human and economic losses to flatter their egos.
M.N. Bhartiya, Goa
