China's charm

Sir, - This has reference to your editorial ``China's charm offensive?'' (Jan. 17). All the declared nuclear powers who possess veto in the United Nations are smarting under the fact that India conducted nuclear tests.

China especially is peeved since its monopoly nuclear status in Asia is challenged effectively. That China has provided missile and nuclear knowhow to Pakistan is an open secret. It has also termed the transfer to and its cooperation with Pakistan on missile and nuclear technology as normal defence cooperation. As such any overture from China must be taken with a note of caution. The truth is that Pakistan has been allowed to grow as a counter weight to India and contain the latter. Our country's strides in computer technology is quite unexpected to the whole world and this stride has put us in proper place in the world map. No one including Pakistan can stand near us in this respect.

Of course one positive offer by China is cooperation to fight terrorism. Present day terrorism is ruthless and deadly. India being a major victim of the terrorist activities, any help from any quarter is welcome. Let us extend full support to China's initiatives in this matter. But we must have to be very vigilant in our dealings with China. After all, China has earned the dubious reputation of being a `paper tiger' when it comes to the question of helping friends in distress.

C. Dharmarajan,

Nagercoil (TN)

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