Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Bus service

Sir, — The agreement between India and Pakistan on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service conveys the willingness of the two countries to reverse 58 years of hostility. The joint peace initiative and the popular response to it in both the countries have given an ideal opportunity to give a fresh impetus to bilateral relations. We look forward to a new beginning in Indo-Pakistani relations.

A. Sohail Siddique,
New Delhi

Sir, — The announcement of confidence building measures is a heartening development that will bring cheer to the burgeoning aspirations of people across the borders. It is also a welcome digression from the sticking points that have vitiated bilateral relations. It is indicative of the realisation by both Governments of the changing dynamics of regional and economic viabilities.

Anjum Mirza,
Hyderabad

Sir, — The happiness of the people of Kashmir over the proposed bus service is heart warming (Feb. 17). It is nice to hear the voice of the Kashmiris who have been torn asunder by the decades-long conflict in the Valley. We, as fellow countrymen, should respect their opinions and recognise their years of dilemma, caught as they are between problems of identity and existence.

N.G. Nayanathara,
Thiruvananthapuram

Sir, — As pointed out in the editorial "A route to peace" (Feb. 18), the CBMs agreed upon at the Feb. 16 talks constitute a silver lining. Let us hope this is a good beginning for the peaceful settlement of the Kashmir dispute.

S. Nallasivan,
Tirunelveli, T.N.

Sir, — A bus link between Jammu and Sialkot and a ferry service between Mumbai and Karachi should also be considered. A ferry service, in particular, will give a tremendous boost to tourism, trade and commerce.

Col. (retd.) Ram Gulrajani,
Chennai

Sir, — Resumption of the Munabao-Khokhrapur rail route will further boost the goodwill between the nations.

But India should rethink its proposed pipeline project. Oil is too precious a commodity to be controlled by people with whom we still have a shaky relationship.

S.R. Devaprakash,
Tumkur, Karnataka

Sir, — The euphoria over the proposed bus service is misplaced. It is well known that the infiltration of militant elements across the border has not been eliminated.

By opening more corridors for entry in the name of improving ties without resolving the core issue of Kashmir, are we not compromising security? Are there effective ways of isolating terrorists or their sympathisers at the entry point? Are measures in place to check the overstaying of groups of visitors or their fanning out across the country?

M.S. Rajasekaran,
Chennai

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