Sagarmatha Sambaad: A global call to protect mountains

Refer to ‘Nepal takes the lead to save Himalayas’; a small nation like Nepal has emerged as a leader in dialogue-oriented diplomacy by conducting the first edition of the global dialogue on the Hindukush Himalayas, Sagarmatha Sambaad, which was attended by over 300 participants. There is a great need to mobilise a collective, collaborative and worldwide effort to save ecological assets amid conflicting policies across the world. Bare mountains, receding glaciers, erratic climate patterns and rising sea levels are dangerous signs. Natural assets like mountains, rivers and forests are living entities, not merely assets to be distributed among sovereign states. Let the Sambaad be not just a dialogue, but a determined effort to save nature.

Harbinder S Dhillon, Una

No need to send delegations

Refer to ‘Govt vs Oppn’; there is no need to send all-party delegations to travel around the world simply to convey India’s stance of zero tolerance to cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan. PM Modi has already made it clear to the world that it will not tolerate Pahalgam-like attacks on its soil. The Opposition parties, too, vowed unanimously to stand by the government. Even some Islamic countries have expressed solidarity with India. But at the end of the day, the present dispensation has stirred an avoidable controversy. The tours will also incur hefty expenditure.

MD Sharma, Shimla

United in fight against terror

With reference to ‘Govt vs Oppn’; the decision of the government to send delegations to other countries to present its perspective on the India-Pakistan conflict is a praiseworthy step. The inclusion of Opposition leaders gives the message that India is united in its fight against terrorism when national interest is at stake. The Central government’s decision to include Congress MP Shashi Tharoor to lead one of the delegations deserves praise. One can only hope that the teams are able to convey a firm message to the whole world that India is determined to uproot Pak-sponsored terrorism.

Satish Sharma, Kaithal

Tussle over Tharoor

Refer to ‘Govt vs Oppn’; despite his unparalleled experience, global credibility and diplomatic finesse, Shashi Tharoor was overlooked by his own party, further exposing the deepening divisions within the Congress. The BJP, sensing the intra-party discord, is making overtures to Tharoor, hoping to draw him into the BJP fold and capitalise on the Congress’ self-inflicted wounds. Tharoor’s exclusion is not just his parent party’s miscalculation; it is a national disservice. Diplomacy demands strength and unity at the national level and representatives like Tharoor with high intellect, calibre and global exposure to present its case diligently and effectively.

SS Paul, Nadia

Not a word from govt on trolls

With reference to ‘Onus on political leadership to decry trolling of civil servants’; when many trolls are ‘followed’ by BJP leaders, it would be naive to expect any action against them. Has any BJP leader come out strongly against the brutal trolling of the Foreign Secretary and his family? The government is usually quick in speaking out against its detractors, but is selective in doing the same in other cases. Apart from Vikram Misri, both Neeraj Chopra and Himanshi Narwal were trolled. This breed of trolls gets emboldened by the inaction of the authorities; it is time for the government to shun insensitivity.

Anthony Henriques, Mumbai

Nation stands behind officers

Refer to ‘Onus on political leadership to decry trolling of civil servants’; one cannot expect political leaders to genuinely come to the rescue of officers who do all the ‘dirty work’. As is visible, the government did not stand by its own Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, leaving him to fend for himself. Col Sofiya Qureshi was targeted with a communal slur by a minister; she took to social media to declare, “I am a Muslim, not a Pakistani; I am a Muslim, not a terrorist”. One can understand her pain and anguish. We wish to assure Misri and Sofiya that the whole nation is proud of them and is with them.

Wg Cdr CL Sehgal (Retd), Jalandhar

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