Letters to The Editor — January 7, 2026

The U.S. and Venezuela

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s removal is, in itself, not a tragedy. But the way it happened, without legal authority and international legitimacy, sets a dangerous precedent, providing justification for authoritarians in China, Russia and elsewhere who want to dominate their neighbours.

If arresting Mr. Maduro brings prosperity and freedom to Venezuela, the operation will be judged a great success. But if it brings greater chaos, as was seen in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya following the U.S.’s interventions, it will once again be an example of tactical success not translating into strategic gains.

R. Sivakumar,

Chennai

The arrest of Venezuela’s President is also a disturbing reminder of how political sovereignty today is inseparable from digital sovereignty. A reliance on foreign-controlled communication platforms, navigation systems and digital infrastructure can expose political leadership to surveillance, tracking, and strategic coercion. This development carries important lessons for India. The Venezuelan episode should, therefore, not be seen as a distant geopolitical event, but as a cautionary signal.

Niraj Kumar,

Bakhari, East Champaran, Bihar

Salaried class, the Budget

As a salaried professional, I await Budget 2026 with measured optimism. Fixed incomes remain under sustained pressure from inflation, housing, education and health-care costs. Many taxpayers expect a thoughtful surprise: raising the basic exemption limit to ₹5 lakh, or increasing the standard deduction to ₹1 lakh. Such steps would ease compliance stress for honest earners. Far from weakening revenues, this relief can spur consumption and improve voluntary compliance. A Finance Minister’s credibility rests on recognising the salaried class as partners in growth. Budget 2026 offers an opportunity to reinforce fairness, discipline and sustainability nationwide.

Vivek M. Jain,

Chennai