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This refers to Brahma Chellaney’s  article Taken for a ride (April 3). The Americans are tough negotiators while we build castles in the air. After getting India to put 35 nuclear facilities under permanent inspection under the Separation Plan, the Bush administration worked with Congress to force many additional conditions on us. Our foreign policy mandarins do not understand America’s negotiating culture and tactics.

K Shankar Kumar
Delhi

Toothless forum

It seems the Saarc has not been able to achieve anything because of the attitude of countries like Pakistan that take pride in opposing any proposal made by India. The recent proposal for a regional mutual legal assistance treaty and extradition is an example. Pakistan has thwarted many such proposals in the past that would have strengthened regional bonds. There must be a serious introspection as to what measures need be taken to make this forum effective.

OP Tandon
via e-mail

Reservation rip-off

The Supreme Court’s stay on OBC reservation in central educational institutions is a step in the right direction. Our Constitution demands equality but our politicians have been adopting a divide-and-rule policy. As long as we have vote-bank politics, reservations will be used as a tool by unscrupulous politicians.

Madhulika Singh
Delhi

Sticky wicket

I don’t agree with Rajdeep Sardesai’s observation Death of a game (April 1) that some people may treat Woolmer episode as an aberration. It should be taken to its logical end on whether his death was natural or not, and the guilty should be punished. Otherwise, cricket will be converted into a killer game by an international gang of bookies.

N Nagarajan
via e-mail

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