In Indian farmers’ interest
Refer to ‘Test for India in a quid pro quo world’ (The Great Game); the article addresses countless Indian farmers’ genuine concern over the prospect of India opening up its agri market to US businesses. Indeed, if New Delhi gets away without opening up its agricultural basket, it would be “a big triumph”. Agriculture is the backbone of our economy and most of the rural people depend on it for their bread and butter. Such thoughtful articles, which dwell on the pulls and pressures of national and international politics, enlighten the reader.
Raj Bahadur Yadav, Fatehabad
Puzzle for Indian diplomats
Apropos of ‘Test for India in a quid pro quo world’; the writer has highlighted the challenges Indian diplomacy is facing at present, mainly due to the self-centred approach of countries. The strong China-Pakistan bond is not new, but the way the US and Russia are warming up to Pakistan is becoming a puzzle. International forums are shying away from naming Pakistan as a terror-sponsoring state. Where are we lacking? What should be the way forward for India? These are important questions which should not be sidestepped.
Hira Sharma, by mail
US, China vying for Pakistan
The geopolitical events which directly affect India need to be navigated with utmost adroitness. To handle China is not an easy task. The ambivalence of the Quad in sparing Pakistan is a matter of concern. It is a deliberate move by the China-led SCO to ignore our western neighbour’s role as a sponsor of terrorism. The tilt of the US towards Pakistan is a manifestation of self-interest rather than principle. Interestingly, but unexpectedly, Russia, a close friend of India, has shown interest in forging ties with Pakistan for building a Central Asia-Arabian Sea rail and road link. The geographical advantage of cash-strapped Pakistan is paying it well.
GS Anand, Panchkula
Not so ‘Beautiful’ Bill
With reference to ‘Trump’s big Bill’; the implications of Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ run deeper. It would give the top 1 per cent an average benefit of $30,000, while the bottom 20 per cent is expected to lose $700 by 2027. Over a decade, it proposes $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and SNAP welfare programmes, which support over 113 million Americans. This would potentially deprive 21 million Americans of basic food and health security. The rollback of clean energy subsidies undermines innovation at a time when global markets are going green. Packaged as ‘populist’, this Bill effectively risks widening inequality and increasing the debt burden by $3.8 trillion.
Sagartirtha Chakraborty, Assam
Unfair to Pahalgam victims
Refer to ‘Pak hockey team gets assent to play in India’; the tears of the widows and orphans of the Pahalgam massacre have not yet dried and India has cleared the decks for the Pakistan hockey team to participate in two tournaments to be held in India. The Sports Ministry has cited that these tournaments are international events and stopping any country from participating in them would be seen as a violation of the Olympic charter. Ironically, Pakistan has the temerity to violate the ceasefire repeatedly, whereas our country is reluctant to run afoul of the International Olympic Committee. Interestingly, the ministries of Home Affairs and External Affairs have also given the go-ahead to the matches in question.
Raj Kumar Kapoor, Ropar
Emotional connect in Caribbean
PM Modi’s landmark visit to Trinidad and Tobago marks a historic moment in India’s outreach to its global diaspora. He is the first Indian leader in 26 years to visit the Caribbean nation, where nearly 45% of the population traces its roots back to India, particularly to the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. More than just a ceremonial visit, the occasion served as a heartfelt tribute to shared heritage and enduring cultural ties. PM Modi was warmly welcomed with a vibrant Bhojpuri Chautaal performance, a powerful reminder of the linguistic and cultural threads that have survived decades of separation.
Rukma Sharma, Jalandhar
Letters to the Editor