India-China ties demand caution

Refer to ‘India-China tango remains elusive’; restraint in bilateral ties is the best course at the moment. Recent meetings between Indian and Chinese leaders hint at a thaw. However, trust remains elusive and complete de-escalation at the border is long awaited. China’s blockade of rare earth magnets, fertilisers and machinery exports exposes its coercive trade tactics. Moreover, easing Chinese investment now would undermine the ban imposed on Chinese apps after the Galwan clash and the exclusion of Huawei, China’s tech giant, due to security concerns. India must remain vigilant, invest in self-reliance and pursue the ‘Make in India for the world’ goal to reduce its economic dependence on China.

Chanchal Singh Mann, Una

Dragon’s hegemony

Apropos of ‘India-China tango remains elusive’; China is a powerful leader at most of the global fora and cares little for other stakeholders. China’s hegemony and expansionism have put its neighbouring countries on tenterhooks. The worst sufferers are India and Taiwan. At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meet last week, China sidelined the Pahalgam terror attack. This indicates that bilateral relations will continue to face headwinds. India stands isolated in the comity of nations, and even our close neighbours are not expressing concern over Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. India is in a catch-22 situation. The government should work out a new strategy to take on China.

Sudershan Walia, Amritsar

Stop Chinese excursions at LAC

India-China relations have been complex and complicated for decades now. One can make different assumptions from the outcome of meetings between the two neighbours. Following frequent Chinese incursions at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), relations have been strained since the 2020 Galwan skirmishes. A solution to the LAC dispute will come only after a political agreement. Chinese misadventures on the LAC have kept the bilateral ties strained. Economic relations have also been restricted lately. Talks on religious yatras cannot improve relations; a sound diplomacy seeks a lot more.

Wg Cdr JS Minhas (Retd), Mohali

Put language row to rest

The three-language formula requires students to learn mother tongue or regional language, Hindi or English, and a third language not previously chosen. The idea is to ensure national integration by promoting a common-link language like Hindi or English. However, non-Hindi-speaking states view the formula as biased. While they must learn Hindi, Hindi-speaking states aren’t required to learn regional languages like Tamil or Marathi. That is the dichotomy. It has triggered resentment, especially in South India, where it is seen as an attempt to impose Hindi on the people. Political leaders in the South warn that language imposition could provoke unrest. They are calling for linguistic equality, state involvement and the promotion of diversity, not dominance. A viable option is the need of the hour to put unrest to rest.

RS Narula, Patiala

Centre inviting trouble

Apropos of ‘Maha cancels 3-language policy orders backing Hindi’; it seems the Centre is bent upon inviting trouble for itself. When everything is moving smoothly, what is the compulsion of imposing the three-language formula across the nation? Perhaps the government has forgotten the anti-Hindi movement in Madras state in 1965. The uprising led to large-scale violence, arson, looting, police firing and many incidents of lathicharge in this southern state. The government should have learnt a lesson that imposing Hindi in some states can prove dangerous.

VK Anand, Chandigarh

Haul up stakeholders

With reference to ‘3 killed, 50 injured in Puri Rath Yatra stampede; Dist Collector, SP shifted’; the Odisha stampede has caused serious nationwide concern about public safety. A grim reminder of tragic incidents in Hathras (Uttar Pradesh), Mahakumbh (Prayagraj) and RCB victory celebrations (Bengaluru), the mayhem has also brought the role of stakeholders under scrutiny. Politicians, bureaucrats and organisers who violate the National Disaster Management Authority’s guidelines must be hauled up for giving permission to mass gatherings without following due procedure. Each time a mishap happens, an inquiry is ordered but the lessons learnt are never put into practice.

DS Kang, Hoshiarpur

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