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Avoid bruising Trump’s ego

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Apropos of ‘India must find a way to deal with Trump’; it appears that honesty and diplomacy do not go well together, especially when dealing with Donald Trump. India could have responded to him with subtlety and tact, rather than with rebuttals, and massaged his fragile ego rather than hurting it. Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir has been lavishly heaping praise on Trump for his supposed role in ending the war and has become his posterboy. Secondly, India withdrew from an economic partnership, the RCEP agreement, in 2019, apprehending that cheaper dairy imports from New Zealand would flood the market. Sub-standard curd, paneer and cheese are sold in the domestic market; perhaps opening up the dairy sector selectively to international competition would lead to improvement in quality and pricing, thus benefiting consumers.

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Chander Shekhar Dogra, Jalandhar

Modi’s hugs didn’t work

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While optics can open doors and create an atmosphere of goodwill, it is strategic depth, preparation and clarity of purpose that sustain meaningful outcomes. The Modi-Trump bonhomie of yore is a sobering reminder that governments ultimately negotiate from positions of interest, not emotions. Personal chemistry may soften the tone, but it is only thoughtful policy and institutional engagement that shape the actual terms of engagement. In the words of Henry Kissinger, “In diplomacy, the hug is free. The handshake is history. But the fine print is what decides the future.”

Yash Pal Ralhan, Jalandhar

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No question meaningless

Apropos of ‘Judicial overreach is choking democratic spirit’; a vibrant democracy is measured by the space it grants for dissent, debate and disagreement. When the judiciary shifts from being the guardian of freedom to the gatekeeper of speech, it risks trading its moral authority for political convenience. In rationing free expression, it does not protect harmony. India’s democracy rests on the promise that no voice is too small to be heard and no question too meaningless to be asked. This vow must be honoured not just in Parliament, but in every street, university, pressroom and digital forum.

Gaurav Badhwar, Rohtak

Nation will suffer if ECI doesn’t act

With reference to ‘Onus on ECI’; instead of looking into the allegations and discrepancies raised by Rahul Gandhi, the ECI is stonewalling the questions by asking for a signed affidavit from the Leader of Opposition. Predictably, the BJP has gone all out in attacking Rahul, but again without addressing the questions raised. Elections are the edifice of a democracy and if they can be compromised, it would sound the death knell for a democratic India. Governments will come and go, but the nation will suffer if the ECI fails to address the Opposition’s concerns.

Anthony Henriques, Mumbai

ECI trying to hoodwink public

Refer to ‘Onus on ECI’; Rahul Gandhi has produced evidence of dubious voting patterns — voters registered multiple times within the same constituency, identical EPIC numbers across states and anomalies like a large numbers of voters listed at a single address. The Congress had made similar allegations about massive increase in electoral registration prior to the Maharashtra Assembly elections. The ECI has adopted a pointlessly defensive stance by asking that records in the form of evidence be submitted under oath. More problematic is the ECI’s practice of not releasing voter data in a structured and searchable text format, thus hindering verification.

Sanjay Chopra, Mohali

Sand mafia having a field day

The sand mining mafia has done irreparable damage to rivers and khuds. The governments in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh are watching helplessly. Since the operators enjoy the patronage of political masters, no one can dare touch them. Plundering of rivers is sponsored by bigwigs who wield influence in the administrative setup. Since huge money is involved in this illegal trade, all those who matter get their share of the booty. The authorities show no will to implement laws.

Karnail Singh, Kharar

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