America’s ‘warning’
The words and the general tone and tenor of the U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser for International Economics, Daleep Singh — that “there will be consequences for any country, including India, that conducts local currency transactions through Russia’s central bank....” — is akin to a headstrong master making a not-so-a-veiled threat towards his fealty vassal (Page 1, April 1). More than that, he raises the spectre of ‘Chinese incursions’ in an ‘attempt’ to make India mend its ways. The hubristic supremacism of the U.S. is unmistakable.
Ayyasseri Raveendranath,
Aranmula, Kerala
It is demoralising that Mr. Singh used his visit to India to issue “a warning”. Trying to intimidate India by citing a Russia-China nexus and some tensions along the India-China border, appears childish. However, we should weigh the consequences, if any, and urgently explore ways to accept the Russian offer of cheaper crude in the interests of our people who are reeling under the highest ever fuel prices in the country. This is an existential need. Even some of the European Union nations — America’s allies — are importing crude from Russia. While India stands for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, it cannot yield to America’s pressure tactics.
P. Mangalachandran,
West Ponniam, Kannur, Kerala
The ‘warning’ is yet another glaring instance of the blatant intervention of the self-styled global policeman in India’s foreign policy matters. The statement should not come as a surprise to any independent political observer given the dubious diplomatic track record of the U.S. India needs to strongly and firmly resist the bullying tactics of the U.S..
B. Suresh Kumar,
Coimbatore
Global oil prices are sky-rocketing. India is also a developing nation that has tremendous energy requirements but has to import more than 80% of its crude. Therefore, it is wholly unfair that the U.S. and its allies are trying to bulldoze it and discourage it from buying discounted Russian oil through competitive sourcing. Considering that the developed nations have reneged on their promises made in the Paris Accord to help poorer nations with economic and technological cooperation to help them change to alternative clean energy, there is little option but to be pragmatic.
Nalini Vijayaraghavan,
Thiruvananthapuram
Sri Lanka’s spiral
As one who has had the privilege of visiting Sri Lanka, yesteryear Ceylon, from my childhood as we had family businesses, and later as an expatriate official, I have witnessed the island-nation’s golden days of prosperity and its sad time during the ethnic war. The economic crisis now is indeed self-inflicted havoc. The politics of the current regime are well-known: polarisation of the masses. In the process of ensuring majoritarian supremacy, democratic norms have been cast aside.
After allowing China to get a firm grip on Sri Lanka, India has woken up rather late. Bad economic policy apart, what is happening today in Sri Lanka should be an eye-opener to all peace-loving people in democratic nations; they should be alert not to fall prey to the evil designs of the politicians who mislead them.
Tharcius S. Fernando,
Chennai
No to quota
The decision by the Supreme Court (Page 1, “SC strikes down T.N. Vanniyar quota”, April 1), largely based on the point of the lack of substantial data and rationale, should serve as a deterrent to political parties that are opportunistic and use sensitive issues to propagate their political agenda. Special reservation based on the population of a community cannot be a panacea for social justice.
Vikram Sundaramurthy,
Chennai
Growing divide
It is baffling that Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is facing flak for her views on “communal exclusion” in Karnataka and, as she adds, how this could impact the State’s position in global leadership in the technology and biotech sectors (Inside pages, April 1). It is her personal stand. So, why does anyone take offence and term it as “politically coloured opinion”? And “intolerance”? Instead of condemning her, it would be better if the political class works toward building an inclusive society.
Prabhu Raj R.,
Bengaluru
