Letters to The Editor — September 3, 2025

Better ties with China

The fact that India and China have expressed their commitment to a fair resolution of the border issue augurs well for bilateral relations between the two neighbours (Front page, September 1). One only hopes that this commitment would lead to a faster de-escalation and withdrawal of troops along the Line of Actual Control as well as the restoration of status quo ante as it existed in April 2020 as quickly as possible. This would facilitate a much faster normalisation of ties. The decision to strengthen people-to-people ties and the trade relationship assumes greater significance at this juncture and could become a game-changer in the current geopolitical context. However, while improving relations with China in the light of the Trump tariff war is important, India needs to tread with caution as China has proved earlier to be unpredictable as far as the border issue is concerned. Pragmatism should be the watchword for India in dealing with China.

Kosaraju Chandramouli,

Hyderabad

While the apparent thaw in India-China relations may be read as a strategic manoeuvre in the shadow of U.S. tensions, history cautions against uncritical optimism. Jawaharlal Nehru’s misplaced faith in China culminated in the 1962 debacle, while the Galwan clash underscored China’s persistent duplicity. Even during Operation Sindoor, China lent its tacit support to Pakistan. Dialogue and diplomacy remain essential, but they must not come at the expense of vigilance. India must engage with China in a pragmatic manner.

Muskan Kumari,

Patiala, Punjab

Politics and Katchatheevu

At a time when New Delhi’s relations with Maldives and China are improving, political parties in Tamil Nadu are playing spoilsport by raising the issue of India’s retrieval of Katchatheevu. (‘World’ page, “Dissanayake makes surprise Katchatheevu visit, vows to protect Sri Lankan territory”, September 2). It has been documented that this is territory that cannot be reclaimed. There was also cabinet consent, which is a known fact in Tamil Nadu. Why then do political parties want to upset the apple cart? After the swearing-in of the new Lankan government, bilateral relations between India and Sri Lanka are better. Local political bigwigs and new political entrants in Tamil Nadu should act with restraint and responsibility.

A.V. Narayanan,

Chennai