Indian soldiers and Kashmiri onlookers stand near the remains of an Indian Air Force aircraft after it crashed 30km from Srinagar, in Indian-controlled Kashmir, on February 27. Photo: AFP
Source:
https://scmp.com/comment/letters/article/2188186/why-pakistan-and-india-must-talk-peace-not-war-modi-not-gandhi Letters
Why Pakistan and India must talk peace, not war: Modi is not Gandhi
Protesters in Peshawar, Pakistan, burn the Indian flag and an effigy of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 28, after Pakistani officials said the country had shot down two Indian warplanes. Photo: Reuters
The prime ministers of India and Pakistan should engage in a dialogue to end the current dangerous eruptions on the borders. The fact is that Pakistan, too, has suffered from terrorist attacks, which have cost the country about 70,000 lives. So it makes eminent sense for both countries to cooperate to eliminate terrorism.
It would be a serious error to let the current situation escalate. Neither country wants or can afford another war. Wars cost innocent lives and deflect attention from growth.
There are enough moderate people on both sides of the border who seek peace, and they should make their voices heard and insist on dialogue. This is not the time to be aggressive or chauvinistic, it is the time to be balanced and talk to each other. Pakistan’s leader Imran Khan has extended his hand to offer talks. India should take it.
Rajendra Aneja, Mumbai
Act before India has zero tolerance for Pakistan
The world should step in to ensure India and Pakistan talk to each other before both sides are pushed to use nuclear weapons out of hate.
As anger escalates between the nations, the world needs to realise this is a war against terrorism, not a war between the majority of innocent people in both countries. It’s a war against the evil in Pakistan that has made the nation harbour terrorists and their activities.
Pakistan needs help to eradicate terrorism and India needs help to avoid triggering a war that will take innocent lives on both sides.
India is no longer a nation that advocates Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of non-violence. India under Narendra Modi believes that without war there can be no peace. It will have zero tolerance soon for Pakistan. India has changed under the Modi regime and zero tolerance is part of it.
Rishi Teckchandani, Mid-Levels