This refers to T N Ninan's column "Moving into South Asia" (Weekend Ruminations, September 20). The prime minister's focus on cultivating neighbouring countries is right. The strategy could prove its mettle if priority is given to settle border disputes with all the neighbours. Now that these nations have their own independent minds they should make sure their angularities do not colour their thinking. They should adopt a give-and-take approach towards border issues. Unless India and the rest of the countries negotiate on mutual outstanding issues in a realistic manner, the short-term pacification by diplomacy will only add to the accumulated problems.
K U Mada Mumbai
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