If we are to believe K Santhanam (‘Figures do not lie’, September 28), India’s nuclear establishment has been economical with the truth for several years. Santhanam says his analysis of the data show that India does not have the capabilities it is boasting of, while the rest of the establishment has rubbished what he has said. Santhanam, in turn, has pointed out that people like the National Security Advisor do not even have the technical capabilities to take him on. So it is a good thing that a panel has been set up to examine the data afresh. But, as you have rightly pointed out (‘What if’, September 28), even if the data shows that Santhanam is right, there is still no need for India to conduct another test.
N Kumar, on email
