Neighbours hedged

•It appears Jaithirth Rao does not have the remotest idea of what a buffer state is or should be, Our country is primarily agriculturist. To protect his farmhouse from predators, a farmer earmarks some area around his house for fodder and kitchen gardens and some area for flower beds to beautify his landscape. This he will enclose with a thick hedge, possibly a thorny one. His aim is to keep the hedge thick so that no predator can cross it.

The British were definitely wise. With Nepal, they had a friendship treaty and Tibet was a protectorate. They had a clear understanding that for any problem the Dalai Lama will seek help from India and not look to China. This made Tibet an effective buffer. Pakistan is the result of the wrong policies of our leaders. A clash of personalities created Pakistan. A proxy war has been unleashed on India through the so-called Mujahids who are being trained and financed by Pakistan.

A friendly Afghanistan was alienated. It should be clear to Rao that it is Pakistan, not India, which has outsourced the war. Rao needs to be enlightened that Nadir Shah invaded India because there was no government in Delhi. The Marathas had become arrogant and failed to get any support from the Rajputs, or the local peasantry, and therefore failed miserably. Rao should know that Chengiz Khan did not dare to cross Sindh because the government in Delhi was strong!

— Sangram Singh

... contd.