Kargil: beyond G-8 declaration

THERE is no point to differ with Mr Hari Jaisingh (Kargil-related issues; beyond G-8 declaration,” June 27) that in the wake of Pakistan virtually turning into a fundamentalist terrorist state, both India and the USA, in their own interest, should bring about the necessary correctives in their policies and attitudes vis-a-vis that country.

I am of the view that India’s excessive idealism and its politicised bureaucratic apparatus have led the country to its present disaster. Our approach to Kashmir and several other issues has been characterised by compromises and inhibitions. Pakistani troops have been countlessly violating the ceasefire line in J&K causing us loss of life and property. Any self-respecting country in our position would have been more than justified in revoking the ceasefire and turning to the Western front for a repeat performance. But being obsessed, as always, with the mirage of a friendship, we behaved like sweet little things and only reported the violations to the Security Council while repeating unsolicited assertions of goodwill.

For Pakistan the only option has been to continue the low-intensity conflict and thus to bleed and debilitate India. The current Kargil crisis is a renewed unsuccessful attempt by our mischievous neighbour to achieve its nefarious aims. India will have to bear the cost matching the onslaught. We are proud of our armed forces which are fighting with all their might to save the country’s honour and dignity. What is needed now is a confident approach in diplomacy.

The USA seems to have never thought seriously about the growing threat of Talibanisation and terrorism emanating from Pakistan. I feel that such thinking on the part of Washington is due to the double standards of this most powerful country.

K.M. VASHISHT
Mansa

“Operation Topac”: Pakistan’s attempt to pose a nuclear threat over the Kashmir issue hardly rattles India. There is a sea change in the international appreciation of the situation.

In March, 1997, US Ambassador Frank Wisnor stated that the demand for a referendum in J&K had become irrelevant, and that such a step would carry no meaning in view of several developments in the past five decades. Nevertheless, there should be no euphoria over the limited success at the G-8 summit. In today’s world of complex diplomacy we must not take anything for granted.

We should try to read though the crocodile tears that China is shedding. How can we forget what it did in NEFA in 1962, Nehru’s “Hindi-Chini bhai bhai” notwithstanding? An army of Brajesh Mishras must be despatched to world capitals to project our viewpoint — rather our claim on Kashmir.

We must not lose a minute to expose that the Pakistani army is only pursuing Phase II of “Operation Topac” outlined by General Zia in April, 1988, at an ISI gathering. The opening sentence thereof says: “Exert maximum pressure on Siachen, Kargil and Rajouri-Poonch sectors to force the Indian Army to deploy reserve formations outside the Kashmir valley.” And this is what is now actually happening in J&K.

It is a shame that our leaders are playing politics in the name of Kargil. Mr I.K. Gujral wants a national government in place of the present caretaker one. Should we change horses midstream?

S.S. JAIN
Chandigarh

Bansi Lal’s survival

The front-page editorial, “This survival game” (June 27), provided an insight into Haryana’s political scenario. Mr Bansi Lal, once the Defence Minister of India, could be one of the tallest leaders of the Congress today but for his boast, “when the calf (Sanjay Gandhi) is with me where can the cow (Indira Gandhi) go”?

Mr Bansi Lal never knew that Indira Gandhi was made of sterner stuff, of an entirely different clay. Ultimately he had to leave the Congress party. Yet 10 Janpath has bailed him out when the BJP ditched him. Whether the Congress has helped Mr Bansi Lal rightly or wrongly only time will tell.

In terms of the vote-catching capacity at the national level Mr Bansi Lal is way behind Mr O.P. Chautala of the INLD. But this time, much to the surprise of one and all, Mr Bansi Lal has oversmarted Mr Chautala.

DURGA BHARDWAJ
Solan

Petty politics: I am reminded of a famous English proverb: “While Rome was burning, Nero was fiddling.” The entire country is watching the Kargil situation, but Haryana legislators are involved in their petty politics. The gravity of the situation warrants national unity rather than immature manipulations.

I do not agree with the view that Mr Bansi Lal is no longer the charismatic leader of the state he once was. Mr Bansi Lal took strong disciplinary measures and greatly improved the power supply position in the state. He made great personal efforts to provide electricity to the consumers round the clock.

Probably, Mr Bansi Lal is not a charismatic leader if we go by the general definition of a charismatic leader. Otherwise, he has produced results.

ANIL JAIN
Ambala Cantt