In his article Aim before you shoot (Feb. 18), Brahma Chellaney has exposed the way the arms and energy-import lobbies attempt to influence the debate on foreign policy and strategy. Corruption has seeped into our system to such an extent that national interests are being compromised. Decision-makers don’t mind signing multi-billion dollar dubious contracts. We are making our country poorer to enrich others.
Shankar Kant
Delhi
II
The squandering of huge resources on obsolete war machinery is not in national interest and is a gross waste of funds. It is better that the resources are spent on higher education and relevant research. I wonder why the opposition parties have not raised the arms purchase issue in Parliament.
Dhirendra Sharma
Dehradun
III
It is heartening and rather shameful that till now we do not have any far-sighted
defence policy. Our political leadership is yet to understand the value of ‘defence self-capability’. Otherwise, there would not have been so many planning failures. This practice will continue till a serious policy is crafted by bureaucrats and politicians.
Samar Vir Singh
via e-mail
Pay no attention
Barkha Dutt has rightly criticised the ambivalence of political parties in taking a stand on Yaqoob Qureshi’s statement (Fringe, cut, February 20). As long as politicians play vote bank politics, true secularism will remain the casualty.
S. Raghavan
via e-mail
S. Raghavan
via e-mail
French connection
India’s tie-up with France for the development of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes is a right decision. France has one of the best technologies in nuclear power. India must emphasise on developing nuclear power as alternative energy, because it cannot depend only on petroleum and gases.
Nuclear power remains a good option for India. So the deal with France is a good opportunity for India.
Shaghil Bilali
Delhi
Readers may e-mail letters to the editor at:letters@hindustantimes.com