Apropos of ‘Diplomats need not play to the gallery’; in an era driven by instant media reactions and social media visibility, there is a growing temptation to respond sharply to garner domestic applause. Yet, successful diplomacy is measured not merely by headline-grabbing responses but by national interests secured. Firmness need not come at the cost of courtesy. National strength is reflected not only in forceful words but in thoughtful, disciplined and balanced engagement. Diplomatic conduct should remain guided by institutional responsibility and long-term national interest rather than the desire to impress audiences at home or abroad.
Col SS Chauhan (Retd), Mohali
Envoys in a double bind
With reference to ‘Diplomats need not play to the gallery’; Indian diplomats should not pander to their domestic audience when dealing with foreign press, but is it really possible to avoid doing so? Diplomats always have to consider foreign and domestic dimensions, engaging in what political scientist Robert Putnam terms the ‘two-level game’. As the writer describes his own experience interacting with reporters in the UAE, had he dealt with them inappropriately, he would have lost his job. This double bind in which diplomats find themselves applies not only to press conferences — it takes centre stage at international negotiations too.
Reed Chervin, Sonepat
Time ripe for non-alignment
Refer to ‘China balances Washington and Moscow carefully’; even when both these countries are engaged in conflicts, their leaders still found time to meet Xi Jinping in Beijing. It signifies a special position that China enjoys in the emerging world order. Surprisingly, Pakistan is playing a proactive role in the West Asia conflict too. In such a situation, there is no need for India to tilt towards the US. Maintaining equal distance from these superpowers is the key to keeping its sovereign status alive. In other words, non-alignment needs to be revived immediately for best results.
Deepak Taak, Panchkula
Holistic Himalayan policy
Apropos of ‘Limiting dams’; the Centre’s decision to bar new hydel projects in the upper reaches of the Ganga acknowledges a reality long ignored: the Himalayan ecosystem is too fragile for reckless infrastructure expansion. However, allowing already sanctioned projects to continue despite known geological vulnerabilities appears contradictory. The Himalayas are among the youngest and most unstable mountains in the world. India surely needs clean energy, but not at the cost of putting vulnerable lives and ecology at risk. A holistic Himalayan policy based on scientific scrutiny, ecological balance and disaster resilience is urgently required.
Sanjay Chopra, Mohali
Heatwave an administrative issue
Apropos of ‘Heat stress’; we are not merely enduring a harsh summer, we are living through the consequences of a long-brewing ecological collapse. When our cities routinely rank among the hottest, this is not an act of nature alone. It is the outcome of choices — deliberate, repeated and largely unaccountable. For a decade, the blueprint has been clear — replacing soil with concrete, lakes with layouts, trees with towers and regulation with convenience. A city with tree cover, water bodies and reflective material heats differently than the one choked by asphalt and glass. We ensured that environmental clearances became procedural formalities. Heat today is as much an administrative problem as it is an environmental one.
Ramesh Gupta, Narwana
Reclaiming safe public spaces
Refer to ‘SC draws the line on stray dog menace’; by ordering the permanent removal of stray dogs from key public institutions and banning the release of aggressive dogs back into the streets, the apex court has addressed a severe public health crisis. It is a pragmatic step toward reclaiming safe public spaces for all. The alarming surge in stray dog-bite incidents across our cities has left vulnerable citizens living in constant fear. The Supreme Court judgment rightly prioritises public safety and the fundamental right to life under Article 21 over flawed policies.
Balbir Singh Kakkar, Jalandhar
