Balance of power

Balance of powerIn reference to ‘A shaky new world’ by R Jagannathan (DNA, January 21), though China may be economically dependent on the US, their military buildup in the past few years has been a severe headache for the US and its allies. With its growing nuclear arsenal, it’s oneupmanship displayed over the Taiwan issue, creating a base in our neighbouring  countries with radar equipments, airbases, roads, all leads one to be rather fearful than just be merely apprehensive about China’s intentions. Whatever the economic or political future of the two superpowers, India must have its own contingency plan to protect the nation from any eventuality.   —Sanjay S Nagarkar, MumbaiII‘A shaky new world’ by R Jagannathan makes an interesting hypothesis on the future global alliances. China’s short term and long term goals are to become a economic superpower and use it as springboard to become a virtual superpower in the military sense too. How far will it succeeds will depend on how much the US recovers from the present economic set-back. With a nine trillion dollars plus debt, it looks a tough task. One cannot but agree with the premise that the world peace will depend on how the new bipolarity emerges.—Arun Mehta, Mumbai Stopgap governorsThe edit ‘Healing touch’ (DNA, January 19) rightly questions the efficacy and propriety in the appointments of the state governors. In almost all cases the appointments are stopgap arrangements with political considerations. Political setbacks, failures, combined with dynastical loyalties are the basis of these appointments. Both the home ministers — Union and state, had to step down under public pressure after ignominious performance in handling 26/11 attacks. Yet both have resurfaced after a gap. It is anyone’s guess as to what commitment to the duty can be expected from these persons under such circumstances. —CS Pathak, via emailThe right thingThe IPL teams have rightly excluded Pakistani cricket players (‘Govt denies hand in IPLs Pakistan snub’, DNA, January 21). It is an open secret that the Pakistani government is associated with several terror outfits which continue to hatch conspiracies to destabilise peace and economic growth of India. Further, Pakistan did very little to arrest and prosecute the masterminds of 26/11 Mumbai terror strike, despite repeated appeals from India. —JN Mahanty, Puri