Karmapa conundrum

Sir, - This is in response to the article ``Karmapa conundrum'' by T. H. Chowdary (The Hindu, March 21). I was surprised to read that ``India cannot afford to enrage China'' in the Karmapa issue. We are a pluralistic nation that respects, if not agrees with, every faith and belief, and we ought to demand the same from every other country.

China is not a strategic partner with India. It has not provided either strategic, moral or diplomatic help to India in any form. It helped Pakistan build its nuclear and missile arsenal that threatens India's security. It sits on territory seized from India during the 1962 war. It has overtly warned the U.S. not to get too close to India while demanding that President Clinton visit Pakistan during his trip in the region. In this situation, India cannot afford not to stand up to China. We should give asylum to the Karmapa. If we do not have the courage to speak what we feel like in our own neighbourhood, how can we demand a permanent seat in the U.N. Security Council?

V. Lakshminarayan,

Michigan (U.S.)

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