
Letters to The Editor — April 26, 2025
Now, action
All the steps taken by India in its anger to punish Pakistan could turn out to be double-edged swords. India cannot take back the areas under the occupation of Pakistan (PoK) without unleashing a war which could end up with catastrophic consequences given that both nations possess nuclear weapons. 'Annulling' the Indus Waters Treaty unilaterally is legally complex and might have significant risks for India's international standing and also ensuring regional stability. Completely stopping the natural flow of rivers into Pakistan is also not immediately feasible. India must also not forget that China too is waiting to use water as a weapon. Therefore, what is required at the moment is not to over react. India needs to take steps, patiently and diplomatically, to isolate Pakistan from its staunch supporters and to dent its influence in the Muslim world.
A.Thirugnanasambantham,
Coimbatore
What happened in Pahalgam will scar Kashmir for years to come. Precious lives have been lost, families shattered, and a region already fatigued by decades of suffering has been left in shock once again. The Pahalgam carnage was a deliberate attempt to instil fear, fuel division, and weaponise religion.
R. Sivakumar,
Chennai
It is good to see that all political parties have risen as one and expressed their support to whatever measures the Centre is going to take. Any response should not be too hasty, as it could cost the country goodwill. There needs to be a well-drafted plan based on sound intelligence.
S.V. Venkatakrishnan,
Bengaluru
India's strong line — that 'India will identify, trace and punish every terrorist involved in this dastardly assault' — has obviously shaken Pakistan.
India's neighbour must note that the bond between India and Kashmir cannot be broken. Steps must be taken to isolate radical and violent elements in Kashmir.
Mani Nataraajan,
Chennai
India should not be satisfied with the initial steps taken after the Pahalgam attack but should systematically expose Pakistan's terror network globally. India should leverage new allies such as Saudi Arabia to further isolate Pakistan, and pressure China not to obstruct the listing of and sanctions on Pakistani-backed terrorists. If China changes its stance, it will be a major setback for Pakistan's terror networks. The unprecedented public anger after the Pahalgam attack is severely damaging Pakistan's narrative. Now is the time for India to vigorously expose Islamabad's support for terrorism globally and also campaign to uproot all the structures that fuel terrorism.
Mohammad Asad,
Mumbai
The crux of the problem is identifying and locating the perpetrators of crime at Pahalgam. Without local support and a recce, the attack could not have been executed. Therefore, the starting point is zeroing in on local handlers. Once they are identified, the rest of the investigation falls in place. Last but not the least: utmost restraint from both sides is the need of the hour lest it become another Palestine issue.
A.V. Narayanan,
Chennai
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Time of India
42 minutes ago
- Time of India
To battle floods, Bengal govt to start Teesta dredging soon
1 2 3 Jalpaiguri: With the bed of the Teesta rising around two metres following the 2023 Glacier Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in Sikkim, Bengal govt has decided to dredge and desilt the river. The GLOF at North Sikkim's South Lhonak Lake in Oct 2023 had significantly impacted the Teesta riverbed with massive silt deposit. Experts fear that if the river is not desilted immediately, a heavy downpour in the upper catchment areas might spell doom for the areas the Teesta flows through. The rising river has already washed away two villages — Laltong and Chamakdangi — in Jalpaiguri's Rajganj block. At least 200 families from the two villages have been relocated to Kholachand Fapri. Bengal govt has decided to engage West Bengal Mineral Development and Trading Corporation Ltd (WBMDTCL) and the irrigation department to desilt some 30 spots on the Teesta from Sevoke railway bridge to Maynaguri's Bakali, across 50 km. "It would be a no-cost-effect dredging and the state will gain revenue by selling the sand and riverbed material," said irrigation minister Manas Bhunia in Jalpaiguri on Thursday after a meeting with departments concerned. A survey by the irrigation department estimates that it would cost about Rs 567 crore to desilt the Teesta if private agencies are involved. "Centre has not given a single penny since 2016 for desilting or bund repairing. This year, Centre has allocated only Rs 412 crore for the entire country's flood management. We, therefore, have decided to desilt Teesta on our own," Bhunia said. The minister also advocated for an India-Bhutan river commission. "There are 76 rivers originating from Bhutan which spell catastrophe for the Dooars every monsoon. They bring along dolomite, raising riverbeds by 4-5 feet. A joint river commission is the need of the hour but Centre is paying no heed to our appeals," he said. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !


India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
Peacemaker Or Patron Of Peril? Pakistan's Hollow Gratitude To Saudi Arabia Over India ‘Ceasefire' Reeks of Hypocrisy
New Delhi: In a political theatre draped in hypocrisy and delusion, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's June 6 Eid pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia has revealed more than diplomatic pleasantries, it has exposed Islamabad's deeply flawed obsession with projecting itself as a peace-seeking nation, while covertly fuelling terror and instability across South Asia. While Indian security forces continue to grapple with Pakistan-backed cross-border terrorism, the latest being the April 22 deadly Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians, Sharif had the gall to thank Saudi Arabia for mediating 'peace' between India and Pakistan. Yes, the same Pakistan whose soil has birthed masterminds like Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar now pretends to be a sobered neighbour seeking dialogue. Shehbaz's post-Eid rendezvous with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman became a diplomatic masquerade. Pakistan's PM went as far as commending Riyadh's 'positive and constructive' role in de-escalating recent Indo-Pak tensions. But let us not forget: there was no ceasefire agreement because India needed mediation. It was a tactical decision from New Delhi, calibrated, controlled and backed by military superiority. India, unlike Pakistan, does not run to foreign patrons for a bailout every time tensions flare. It responds with surgical strikes, diplomatic isolations, or, most recently, tough measures like suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, choking Pakistan's already struggling agrarian economy. Islamabad calling it 'Indian aggression' is laughable. The real aggression has always flowed from Rawalpindi's GHQ, not Raisina Hill. Pakistan's Saudi Paradox It is ironic and almost insulting that Pakistan speaks of 'responsible restraint' while praising Saudi Arabia for 'peacemaking', even as ISI-trained militants infiltrate Indian borders. This charade seems more like Islamabad seeking validation for a narrative that has lost global credibility. India has made it clear – terror and talks cannot go together. When New Delhi responds, it does so with clarity, whether it is by revoking Article 370, neutralising terrorists with pinpoint military operations or weaponising diplomacy at global forums like the FATF, where Pakistan continues to oscillate on grey lists. Pakistan's efforts to internationalise every skirmish with India, now disguised under the veil of 'Saudi mediation', are nothing but attempts to cover up its diplomatic failures and domestic chaos. The recent Eid-ul-Adha trip, painted as a triumph, only further illustrated Pakistan's dependence on external crutches to remain relevant on the global stage. Meanwhile, India continues to handle its security and diplomacy with maturity. It does not need foreign intervention to speak for it. India's stance is firm: if Pakistan wants peace, it must first stop exporting terror. Can Saudi Arabia Play a Real Strategic Role? The honest answer is yes, but only if it chooses substance over symbolism. Riyadh holds leverage over Islamabad, not just diplomatically but economically, given the billions in aid and loans Saudi Arabia has extended to keep Pakistan afloat. If the Kingdom truly wishes to play a constructive role in South Asia, it should use that leverage to demand accountability from Pakistan's military and intelligence networks that perpetuate terrorism. It should push for genuine de-radicalisation, not lavish state banquets while terror training camps operate across the LOC. The Kingdom's credibility as a regional power hinges not on polite diplomacy, but on tough conversations behind closed doors. Enough of This Farce India sees the visit a bizarre gratitude Pakistan extended to Saudi Arabia over a supposed 'ceasefire' with New Delhi. There was no such peace deal, just India deciding when and how to engage. After all, why would the world's most populated democracy entertain a dialogue with a rogue state where democracy itself is a puppet of the military? Sharif may find joy in royal luncheons and chauffeured rides by the Saudi Crown Prince. But no amount of hospitality or photo-ops can erase Pakistan's record as the fountainhead of terrorism in South Asia. India does not need a peace certificate from a state that harbours fugitives and celebrates terrorists as martyrs. And if Saudi Arabia truly wants to play peacemaker, it should first urge Pakistan to dismantle its terror infrastructure. Until then, these symbolic gestures and orchestrated hugs in palaces will remain what they truly are – diplomatic illusions in a house of cards.


India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
We understand the necessity of why India took action: Jurgen Hardt
Berlin [Germany], June 6 (ANI): In a key diplomatic engagement, an Indian All-Party Parliamentary Delegation led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad held wide-ranging discussions in Berlin with members of the German Bundestag and representatives from leading think tanks, deepening strategic cooperation and mutual understanding. One of the standout voices during the dialogue was Jurgen Hardt, Member of the German Parliament and Spokesperson for Foreign Policy of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, who strongly addressed regional threats emanating from Pakistan and the need for peaceful conflict resolution. 'We see the terror threat coming from Pakistan and we have asked the Pakistani government to eliminate terror groups in their country. We hope for a peaceful solution. We encourage the Indian government to do it diplomatically. Hopefully, the conflict between India and Pakistan can be calmed,' Hardt stated. Referring to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, he added, 'It was a terrible attack on several people. I hope India finds a way to install a mechanism to resolve such conflicts peacefully, but we understand the necessity of why India took action.' The meeting with German lawmakers, including Armin Laschet, Ralph Brinkhaus, Hubertus Heil, and Omid Nouripour, reaffirmed the growing convergence between India and Germany on regional security and counterterrorism. Armin Laschet, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Bundestag, expressed solidarity with India and called for the preservation of peace and dialogue. 'We also discussed the brutal 22 April terrorist attack in Pahalgam. I'm deeply shocked. Germany stands with India in the fight against terrorism. Now it's vital the ceasefire holds and dialogue continues. Peace serves us all,' Laschet said in a statement. The Indian Embassy in Germany confirmed the series of engagements, noting that the delegation 'conveyed India's unwavering united stand for Zero Tolerance for Terrorism and outlined its resolve to not give in to nuclear blackmail.' The embassy also noted that leaders on both sides 'recognised momentum in the India-Germany Strategic Partnership and joint role in ensuring global Peace and Security.' Vice President of the German Bundestag, Omid Nouripour, also hosted the delegation and highlighted the need for stronger cooperation amidst current global challenges. He acknowledged India's rising role in ensuring security and appreciated the delegation's outreach. Reflecting on the significance of the meetings, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad remarked, 'A very good meeting with Vice Chairman of this majestic Parliament. We exchanged views on terrorism, he was very forthright. Terrorism is a global curse and also appreciated India's efforts to give security to its people and globally, we need to work together in the field of terrorism and also good economic cooperation between these two great countries. Germany is a big economic powerhouse in the world. India is a big economic powerhouse in the world.' With high-level participation across parties and institutions, the visit reinforced the shared values and mutual trust that underpin the India-Germany relationship. From counterterrorism and nuclear restraint to economic engagement and geopolitical dialogue, both sides signalled a clear commitment to a rules-based global order and a collaborative future. (ANI)