Tariff disputes with US

The enhancement of Delhi-Washington relations is largely due to India’s pivotal position in the Asia-Pacific region. Nevertheless, several challenges remain, including tariff disputes initiated by the Trump administration. India is under pressure to boost imports from the US. In this scenario, India could engage in trade with the US by focusing on products that can be further developed by its domestic industry. For example, India can consider importing liquefied natural gas, which could be processed domestically and then re-exported to developed countries. Secondly, India could import high-end luxury goods from the US, which would have a negligible impact on the Indian domestic market, even if they are sourced from abroad.

Harvinder Singh Chugh, Jalandhar

Seek transfer of technology

Apropos of ‘Defence conundrum’; our government has been making consistent efforts to enhance indigenous production of arms. India not only wants to be self-reliant in the defence sector, but is also keen to become a top exporter of defence equipment. However, India still continues to be the largest importer of arms. India chiefly depended on Russia for defence equipment; it has also turned to Western countries now. Trump wants India to purchase more defence equipment from America and is imposing retaliatory tariffs to make India fall in line. Our indigenous production can be bolstered only when transfer of technology is made a mandatory prerequisite.

Roshan Lal Goel, Ladwa

India should not fall into the trap

Refer to ‘Defence conundrum’; the editorial incisively exposes India’s paradox of being the world’s largest arms importer despite its push for self-reliance. While strategic ties are crucial, they must not lure India into dependency, especially when Western firms resist technology transfer. Pressure from the US to buy more arms while imposing tariffs on Indian exports underscores the need for shrewd negotiations to avert one-sided deals. It must demand agreements that strengthen its domestic capability rather than increase reliance on other countries. Balancing indigenous production with export ambitions holds the key to strategic autonomy.

Chanchal S Mann, Una

Modi should make best bargain

Apropos of ‘Defence conundrum’; the thumb rule to strengthen the nation’s economy is ‘more exports, less imports’. We can use defence exports to benefit other sectors. India, an agrarian country with high population growth, must give top priority to the agriculture sector, which at present is neglected. Defence imports are still higher than other items, but these can be significantly minimised with good planning and strategy. Modi must use his US visit to get the best bargain and not play into the hands of Donald Trump. This will be a real test of Indian diplomacy.

BM Singh, Amritsar

SC intervention only remedy

Refer to ‘Justice delayed’; even after a long span of 40 years, the victims of 1984 anti-Sikh riots are still waiting for justice. No one, be it the police, governments or courts, is able to take the cases to their logical conclusion. Families who witnessed the 1984 massacre are still in pain. The only remedy that appears workable is the intervention of the Supreme Court. The apex court must issue directions to all agencies concerned to give priority to the matter for quick disposal. Non-production of evidence is appearing to be a stumbling block, for which the responsibility lies with the police.

Raj Kumar Kapoor, Ropar

Lax probe a stumbling block

With reference to ‘Justice delayed’; the injustice done to many victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots by not delivering a timely verdict against the criminals is unacceptable. The Supreme Court has rightly called out the police regarding lax investigation. Since police officers are professionally trained to deal with serious cases promptly in a foolproof manner, the extraordinary delay is unjustifiable and unexplainable. The excuse of ‘lack of evidence’ by the police is itself proof that the investigation was not carried out seriously. The victims’ families have been denied closure to their woes.

Subhash Vaid, New Delhi