Letters To The Editor

China syndrome• With the visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao, one needs to consider the Indian position on China. More specifically, s...

China syndrome

• With the visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao, one needs to consider the Indian position on China. More specifically, should India trust the Chinese? The observations of the Chinese envoy on the status of Arunachal Pradesh — just before the Hu visit — claiming it to be a part of China, raises doubts about the longevity of the Indo-China engagement. I am fairly certain that the envoy knew that his remarks would cause a commotion, and yet he went ahead with them. Was that a diversionary tactic? And will this development impinge on India’s diplomatic language vis-a-vis China? Several foreign policy observers have urged India to take a more assertive position and, in fact, go on the offensive by questioning China’s claims over Tibet. I am inclined towards this position. India needs to convey the impression that it cannot be bullied. Meanwhile, it should step up vigilance along the Arunachal border, keeping in mind that the region is of tremendous strategic importance, including, of course, in the protection of our reserves of hydel power. Therefore, even as we talk to China, we should remember that it is a country that believes in action.

— Kundan Singh, Dehra Dun

Sez Hu

• Chinese President Hu Jintao’s visit could well usher in a new era in terms of Indo-Chinese trade. India trails far behind China when it come to FDI. The reason for this is not far to seek: our infrastructure is not conducive to attracting foreign capital. We have to work towards making India an attractive destination for foreign companies: perhaps the SEZ model is the way out. If we can provide attractive facilities so that those interested in setting up manufacturing units are assured access to water, electricity and uninterrupted power, we could see an increase in FDI inflow as well. We need to learn how China became the manufacturing hub of the world and emulate it.

— Mir Raza, Lucknow

Star diversion?

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• The recent Brangelina uproar (‘A Brangelina situation in Mumbai’, IE, November 21) made me question Indian reactions to the foreign film team. If Jolie’s bodyguards did misbehave with some Indians and made racial slurs (perhaps in the heat of the moment), there was no reason for the Indian police to have intervened. The matter should have been handled in a discreet fashion. Perhaps Mumbai, already saturated with the coverage of their own stars, needed another star-studded circus to keep the gossip going.

— K. Jaidka, Kolkata

Crazy enforcement

• This refers to your report, ‘Eleven years jail for a crime they didn’t commit’ (IE, November 16). It is a sad reflection on our law enforcement officers, and their casual approach to a serious crime like murder. Arresting innocent people and slapping false, frivolous charges on them is a criminal act. Those responsible should be taken to task, and their services should be terminated.

That apart, they should be made to pay a heavy compensation to those whose lives they made miserable for 11 years.

— Behram Aga, Mumbai