Letters to The Editor — October 20, 2025

Engaging Kabul

‘Talking to the Taliban’ should sensitise all concerned within the ruling dispensation. Now, attempting to restore a normal diplomatic relationship with the Taliban regime in Afghanistan does make one wonder whether India is serious about ending terror. India should remember that the Taliban government is not a democratically elected one and that rights are being suppressed in Afghanistan. India should be careful if it is serious about its claim of being a ‘Viswaguru’.

A.G. Rajmohan,

Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh

Today, India has chosen calibrated engagement over isolation. Yet, the silence on the Taliban’s repression of women and minorities is deeply troubling. Strategic pragmatism cannot come at the cost of India’s moral voice. As Afghanistan’s neighbour and historic partner, India must back its outreach with advocacy for human rights and education — especially for women and girls.

Engagement must serve a dual purpose: securing India’s regional interests while upholding its democratic ideals. To do less would be to barter principle for expediency — a trade neither worthy of India’s legacy nor of Afghanistan’s people.

Gopalaswamy J.,

Chennai

India-China ties

The writer of the article, “Better global governance, led by China and India” (Editorial page, October 18), is undoubtedly a skilful wordsmith. But in this relationship, it is actions, not words, that are key. I wonder what the residents of Arunachal Pradesh feel about sentences such as “domestic affairs free from external interference”. There is conveniently no mention about the Dalai Lama and the oppression of Tibet. India’s leaders of all persuasions should justly be proud of standing up to Chinese aggression in this regard. Although Myanmar is a separate issue, the Chinese support for a brutal military junta has daily repercussions for Indian citizens living near that border. The less said about how Pakistan is in China’s pocket the better.

Admittedly, most Chinese people I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with are sincere, thoughtful and proud people who are contributing to India’s economy. However, the political apparatus needs root and branch reforms. As we all tackle climate emergencies, China’s solar prowess is valuable, but one must always be aware of the negative aspects of its so-called “governance”.

J.G. Roy,

Pune