• Pakistan is known for acquiring weapons surreptitiously instead of producing them indigenously. Major donors, namely the US, must be worried by Pakistan’s convenient yet clandestine efforts at customising weaponry. India, through its diplomatic channels, must highlight the ramifications of this for its own security and that of the subcontinent. The US should now reconsider additional aid packages to Pakistan.

— Deepak Chikramane

Mumbai

Halt aid

• Now that the truth is out, Pakistani protests that the missiles were produced locally and are not those of the Reagan era, sound rather hollow. Surely, it’s now time for the Obama administration to conduct another review of the region and its Af-Pak policy, this time focusing solely on military aid to Pakistan — whether Pakistan should in fact be a recipient of US aid at all. One may expect something positive from the US after all since the US government has itself complained about Pakistan’s deception. However, should this not materialise, there must be pressure put on the US to discontinue all aid — economic and military.

— Edward Haeems

Ahmedabad

Hindsight helps

• This refers to Tarun Vijay’s ‘Pranabda’s Bengal division’. Is calling Jinnah a nationalist with secular leanings a fair representation? The facts say otherwise. For instance, when Jinnah was asked whether “Direct Action” was violent or not, he reacted by saying that he was not willing to discuss ethics. Does this not display opportunistic characteristics? Furthermore, others involved in the process, such as S.P. Mookerjee and C. Rajagopalachari appear as idealists if one assesses their roles in India’s struggle for independence.

... contd.