Last chance for deal

This refers to the editorial Friends like these, The NAM countries and Iran are jealous of India’s prospective special nuclear status because...

•This refers to the editorial Friends like these . The NAM countries and Iran are jealous of India’s prospective special nuclear status because, unlike India, they are signatories to the NPT and thus covered by its stringent provisions. Given the fact that India could never get NAM’s political support in its wars with Pakistan and China, it need not worry about the NAM’s position on the nuclear deal. Instead, what the UPA government should be careful about is the danger of succumbing to the Left’s pressure which is being exerted at the behest of China. It is time to seal the deal.

— S.K. Gupta

Delhi

A submarine force

•The build-up of China’s submarine fleet and the revelations of fortified facilities on the island of Hainan should not come as a surprise ‘China to India, an unpleasant surprise’. Deng Ziaoping scripted China’s naval strategy and directed its navy to build up a large nuclear and conventional submarine fleet that could be deployed off Taiwan, and used to ward off US aircraft-carrier task forces or sink them before they came to Taiwan’s aid.

The aviation-centric Indian navy should now revisit the carrier vs submarine debate. In the 21st century, the carrier will be a difficult target to defend against submarines and precision-guided missiles. India has the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands where unsinkable airfields can be built to support the fleet, and only a submarine force will better deter Chinese ambitions in the Indian Ocean.

— Ranjit B. Rai

New Delhi

Bill and brouhaha

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• The Women’s Reservation Bill has finally been tabled in Parliament ‘SP wanted to “snatch, tear it” but women’s quota Bill is in’. Though drafted long back its implementation has always been a distant dream. Now, the bill has been introduced again amidst uproars from Samajwadi Party members. Lalu Prasad too has reservations about the bill. Since Lalu and Mulayam have always promoted caste politics, their opposition is explained by the bill’s disregard for caste. Nevertheless, given the involvement of women at the grassroots level in Indian politics today, has the bill’s delay indeed delayed social justice?

— Farzana Nigar

Ranchi

US food habits

•George W. Bush forgot that nearly half of India’s population is undernourished. Thus India’s food consumption can only increase further. He should rather worry about the obesity levels of schoolchildren and adults in his own country. Surely they didn’t become fat without eating? Moreover, a substantial portion of America’s foodgrains feed livestock that provide flesh for consumption. To produce a kilogramme of meat, a lot of foodgrain is needed. Since meat is not a natural food of human beings, Bush should first think of correcting the food habits of his own countrymen.

— M.N. Palsane

Pune