Our Sikh brethren are celebrating the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. The 4.7-km Kartarpur corridor will facilitate the visit of Indian pilgrims to the Gurudwara Darbar Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan, where Guru Nanak spent the last days of his life.

The Kartarpur corridor will reduce travel time for pilgrims visiting the shrine from four hours to about 15-20 minutes. Until recently devotees had been forced to be content with catching sight of the Gurdwara through binoculars from the Indian side. Though diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan have not seen any significant improvement, both prime ministers have taken a bold step in extending a great gift to the Sikh community.

Let the Kartarpur Sahib corridor act as a bridge of peace between the people of India and Pakistan. I hope that this gesture will facilitate a positive and purposeful dialogue, as people from both sides of the border belong to the same ancestry and share a similar heritage, food and language.

The opening of the Kartarpur corridor between India and Pakistan on the occasion of the 550th anniversary of the Prakash Utsav of Guru Nanak Dev is a welcome step. Both the governments have agreed to link the Sikh shrine of Dera Baba Nanak sahib and the shrine of Kartarpur sahib.

This will help reduce the travel time for pilgrims visiting the gurdwara from four hours to just 15 to 20 minutes. People from India and Pakistan belong to the same ancestry and share the heritage, food and language. It is hoped that the opening of the Kartarpur corridor will facilitate a positive and purposeful dialogue.

This will help both countries save money spent on buying weaponry and this can be diverted for useful purposes for the betterment of the people of both nations.

Ramesh G jethwani is a Veteran writer, Voracious reader, Historian and Commentator who has been writing in 21 newspapers in India and GCC countries for several decades on various subjects of importance.
His website www: rameshjethwani.com

Sir — The release of 151 Indian prisoners detained in Pakistani jails before the visit of Pakistan’s prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, to Delhi to attend Narendra Modi’s swearing in was a right decision at the right time. Before this, a Sri Lankan court had ordered the release of 116 fishermen from Tamil Nadu.

Most of the prisoners who were released are fishermen from this side of the border who inadvertently trespass into other countries’ territorial waters. As sea borders cannot be properly earmarked, these men cannot find out when they are trespassing. They end up being captured by the marine police and remain in jail for an indefinite period. As a gesture of goodwill, the governments of India and Pakistan periodically release some of these fishermen. But neither side has ever emptied its jails of the detained fisher folk.

Marine borders are a much debated issue even globally. As such, the problem of these straying fisher folk is never going to go away. At the same time, the neighbouring countries have the means of resolving the issue. Whenever the men stray into hostile territory, they should be sent back home immediately on purely humanitarian grounds. Nothing is gained by the respective governments by holding them in jail.

But their families have much to lose as these fishermen are usually very poor people. The families suffer when the earning member is jailed for an indefinite time for no conscious crime.

Yours faithfully,

Ramesh G jethwani is a Veteran writer, Voracious reader, Historian and Commentator who has been writing in 21 newspapers in India and GCC countries for several decades on various subjects of importance.
His website www: rameshjethwani.com

Sir — It is heartening that the Indian national, Hamid Nihal Ansari, who had been imprisoned in Pakistan for many years, has finally returned home to India (“Pak releases Indian prisoner”, Dec 18). Ansari had entered Pakistan illegally through Afghanistan, apparently in order to meet a girl he had met online. His safe return to his family should serve a step towards improving bilateral ties between India and Pakistan, which are always at loggerheads.

This is an ideal opportunity for both countries to take a humanitarian approach towards their prisoners from across the border. Numerous prisoners — including fishermen who had inadvertently strayed into the marine territory of the other country — are languishing in jails in both India and Pakistan. There is little to be gained by either country by holding such people hostage.

It only prolongs the sufferings of their families. The prime ministers of both countries, as gestures of goodwill, must release these prisoners and send them back home. Given the striking similarities between India and Pakistan in terms of food, culture, language and history, it is but natural that the ordinary citizens of both nations want peace and friendship.

(2) Positive step, (Return of Indian prisoner)
    Deccan Herald, 22nd Dec, 2018, L.E.

Sir, The return to India of Hamid Ansari, who was incarcerated in a Pakistan jail for six years, is a welcome step in improving bilateral relations between India and Pakistan.

It is high time the two countries showed more humanitarian approach towards innocent fishermen and other prisoners languishing in jails.

Holding prisoners whose nationality has been confirmed will further prolong the miseries of their families. It is in the best interests of both to release them at the earliest.

Ramesh G jethwani is a Veteran writer, Voracious reader, Historian and Commentator who has been writing in 21 newspapers in India and GCC countries for several decades on various subjects of importance.
His website www: rameshjethwani.com

When North Korea and US, Ethiopian and Eritrean can make peace, why not India and Pakistan, The two nation share History, Culture, Language, food and have common border.

It will be in the interest of both the countries to find the amicable solution, so that the huge defense expenditure can be reduced and money saved can be used for the welfare of citizenry, by investing in education, health care, jobs and infrastructure.

Imran Khan is all set to become the 19th prime Minister of Pakistan and his first statement with encroachment with India is praise-worthy, He has also promised to work for the rule of law in Pakistan and improve the lives of masses,

Let us hope for the best.

Ramesh G jethwani is a Veteran writer, Voracious reader, Historian and Commentator who has been writing in 21 newspapers in India and GCC countries for several decades on various subjects of importance.
His website www: rameshjethwani.com

The historical summit between the US and North Korea at Singapore should set a good precedent for India and Pakistan to follow a comprehensive dialogue. If the US and North Korea can return from the brink of a nuclear flash point for dialogue, there is no reason why India and Pakistan cannot do the same. It is time India and Pakistan moved forward.

It's time they meet face to face to discuss problems. Each day brings stories of death of people on the border. This has to end and peace has to reign.

Ramesh G jethwani is a Veteran writer, Voracious reader, Historian and Commentator who has been writing in 21 newspapers in India and GCC countries for several decades on various subjects of importance.
His website www: rameshjethwani.com

Sir - The two South Asian nations, India and Pakistan, should learn from the example set by the US and North Korea. Washington and Pyongyang were at each other's throats only a few months ago. But they put the acrimony behind to engage in constructive dialogue. Therefore, there is no reason why New Delhi and Islamabad cannot do the same.

If these two neighbouring countries can trust each other, then they will not have to spend large sums of money on procuring weaponry. The amount saved can then be used for development purposes.

Ramesh G. Jethwani,
Bangalore.


(ii) India - Pakistan should start comprehensive dialogue
(Trump-Kim summit ‘ A Historical Summit of the Century’)

Sir, Historical Trump-Kim summit can be well billed as the ‘Summit of the Century’

Historical summit between the US and North Korea at Singapore, should set a good precedent for both the bickering neighbours India and Pakistan to follow the comprehensive dialogue.

If the US and and North Korea can return from the brink of a nuclear flash point for dialogue, then there is no reason why India and Pakistan can't do the same, To start with a comprehensive dialogue,

Today we have a very visionary leadership of Narender Modi at the helm of affairs, who sincerely wants peace in this zone, so that money which is going for armaments can be better used for improving living conditions of our people on both sides, by way of improving health care, education and solving other civic problems

It is time India and Pakistan to leave behind the past acrimony, move forward,and sit and discuss the problems.

Every day we are seeing deaths of people on border which should end.peace should return in this volatile region so that world becomes a good place to live.

Ramesh G jethwani is a Veteran writer, Voracious reader, Historian and Commentator who has been writing in 21 newspapers in India and GCC countries for several decades on various subjects of importance.
His website www: rameshjethwani.com

Sir, Apropos "China build border roads faster"(DH, 30 Aug), Diplomacy has succeeded in finally in defusing the volatile situation at Dokalam,

The Announcement of withdrawal of troops fro both sides is a significant achievement for India, in the wake of this your editorial's advice to develop infrastructure along the border is important fom military and strategic point of view. while china is continue to resolutely develop the most modern infrastructure on its side, India can't lag behind.

This will also influence confidence in our neighbour Bhutan whom we are obliged to protect.

Ramesh G jethwani is a Veteran writer, Voracious reader, Historian and Commentator who has been writing in 21 newspapers in India and GCC countries for several decades on various subjects of importance.
His website www: rameshjethwani.com

Sir — This refers to the editorial, "Standing up to a bully" (August 29). Finally, diplomacy prevailed in calming down the tense situation in Doklam which prevailed for more than two months. It is a significant achievement for India that in this stand-off, the US, Japan and Vietnam all fully supported the Indian standpoint. Congratulations are forthcoming to those diplomats, from both sides who toiled very hard, though behind the scene, to end this deadlock.

The editorial is timely as New Delhi's decision to develop infrastructure like roads in this region is of utmost militarily importance from a strategic point of view. It will also give confidence to Bhutan as we are obliged to protect Bhutan's sovereignty as well.

Ramesh G jethwani is a Veteran writer, Voracious reader, Historian and Commentator who has been writing in 21 newspapers in India and GCC countries for several decades on various subjects of importance.
His website www: rameshjethwani.com

Sir - The standoff in Doklam came to an end after almost 10 weeks. During the crisis, most major nations supported India's stand. Diplomats from both countries deserve to be congratulated for diffusing the tension through talks.

However, the Indian government should not be lax after seemingly getting an upper hand over China. For instance, it should develop infrastructure on its side of the border. This will also reassure our neighbour and ally, Bhutan.

Ramesh G jethwani is a Veteran writer, Voracious reader, Historian and Commentator who has been writing in 21 newspapers in India and GCC countries for several decades on various subjects of importance.
His website www: rameshjethwani.com

Sir, A fallout of the Kargil conflict which has just ended following the withdrawal of Pakistani troops from the Indian side of the Line of Control is the cost of the war and the consequent burden on the economies of both India and Pakistan.

It is a sad commentary that even though both countries have common geography, history and rivers, they have been at war with each other time and again. The Kargil conflict has given rise to fresh fears and insecurity in our border areas, because of Pakistan’s betrayal of our trust and confidence.

As the Kargil conflict has the potential of triggering an arms race in the sub-continent, both countries should resume negotiations and try to evolve ways and means to avoid conflict of any kind as these will be a drain on the scarce resources in both the countries. Specifically, Pakistan should understand that war of the Kargil kind, for instance, is no solution to the country’s problems. It might help Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in diverting his people’s intentions from his problems at home, but Pakistan’s misadventure in Kargil has proved to be costly for both the political leadership and the Army.

Already reeling under severe resource crunch, the Pakistani Government has been forced to divert funds earmarked for economic development towards Kargil. Of the US$ 14 billion, 30 percent of the Pakistani Budget goes to debt servicing, 30 percent (or US$ 4 billion) goes towards mounting defense expenditure and 30 percent towards the wage bill. Consequently, hardly anything remains in the kitty for socioeconomic development. There are absolutely no funds at its disposal to meet demands in some of the critical sectors of the economy such as basic healthcare, drinking water and housing. Pakistan ought to know that war only brings with it havoc and devastation, apart from loss of young and brave soldiers and misery to the people. I do remember the horrors of the Arab-Israeli war during my stay in the Middle East in 1973 and a point to be noted is that even otherwise, both Egypt and Israel have good relations in trade, foreign exchange and tourism.

The cost of war today has alarmingly increased as most of the hi-tech war equipment are imported from western countries at exorbitant cost on hard currency funds earmarked for meeting essential imports like oil, life-saving medicines and so on. Instead of fighting wars, it is time bout India and Pakistan took steps to tackle abysmal poverty. The funds wasted in successive wars could have been well spent on social welfare and on providing certain basic civic amenities to the hapless people.

Ramesh G jethwani is a Veteran writer, Voracious reader, Historian and Commentator who has been writing in 21 newspapers in India and GCC countries for several decades on various subjects of importance.
His website www: rameshjethwani.com

Sir, This refers to “High time Siachen issue is settled (HD-13thFeb). ”The sad and untimely demise of Naik hanmanthappa Kopad and 9 others have brought to the focus the urgent need for finding lasting solution for demillitarisation of Siachen Glacier.

It is high time India and Pakistan, where millions still live below poverty line, should maintain this unihabitabted patch of land with some modern electronic means like satellite imaginaries etc, than continue losing men due to harsh weather conditions.

Ramesh G jethwani is a Veteran writer, Voracious reader, Historian and Commentator who has been writing in 21 newspapers in India and GCC countries for several decades on various subjects of importance.
His website www: rameshjethwani.com

There has been a lot of media hype in India over Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari's Ajmer visit. Though it was said to be a personnel visit, he and members of his delegation met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over lunch and discussed bilateral issues. When relations between the two neighbors are strained such informal trips are fruitful, because these meetings allow the leaders to talk informally without any pressure of producing results. The two neighbors have been at loggerheads since their independence in 1947 and have fought three wars. A lasting peace between the two countries can bring about development and prosperity for the people of both India and Pakistan. If they agree to promote relations, there can be revival of economic and political cooperation and cross-border trade through Rajasthan and Punjab will flourish. This can enormously benefit the people of both the countries as there are a lot of things that can be traded through rail/road routes. Medicines, engineering goods and farm products are some of the items that can be traded. Also better relations can see the demilitarization of Siachen Glacier where everyday soldiers from both sides die due to extreme inclement weather. Just two days back Pakistan lost 135 people including 124 soldiers when a massive avalanche struck an army camp on the glacier.

Ramesh G jethwani is a Veteran writer, Voracious reader, Historian and Commentator who has been writing in 21 newspapers in India and GCC countries for several decades on various subjects of importance.
His website www: rameshjethwani.com

Sir - Any deviation from the Indus Waters Treaty will directly affect the economy of Pakistan ("Delhi dips toe but Indus treaty afloat", Sept 27). Hence, the move, however temporary, to suspend the treaty unilaterally should be thought through carefully. If the decision enables Pakistan to garner sympathy, then it will prove to be a diplomatic disaster for India. Scrapping the treaty, which has remained in effect through a number of wars between India and Pakistan, should be considered only when all else fails. One hopes that the Indian government will do what is best for both nations.

Ramesh G jethwani is a Veteran writer, Voracious reader, Historian and Commentator who has been writing in 21 newspapers in India and GCC countries for several decades on various subjects of importance.
His website www: rameshjethwani.com

Sir, Indus water treaty (IWT) signed between India and Pakistan in 1960, is one of the most liberal water sharing treaties in the world. A change in IWT will directly effect the agriculture economy of Pakistan's biggest province, Punjab. Any decision by the center to abort the treaty unilaterally or even temporarily, should be arrived at with wiser council, lest it ends up as a diplomatic misadventure for India, leading Pakistan to crying as victim.

Ramesh G jethwani is a Veteran writer, Voracious reader, Historian and Commentator who has been writing in 21 newspapers in India and GCC countries for several decades on various subjects of importance.
His website www: rameshjethwani.com

Sir — The Indus waters treaty (IWT), signed between Pakistan and India, on September 19, 1960, is one of the most liberal water-sharing pacts in the world, which has survived the test of time and even three India-Pakistan wars.

Any change in the IWT agreement will have a direct effect on the economy of Pakistan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a great statesman; any decision taken by his Government, to abort the treaty unilaterally or even temporarily, should be arrived with caution.

The best course should be to use all possible diplomatic channels to convince the world about Pakistan’s terror activities. Aborting the IWT treaty should be the last option.

Ramesh G jethwani is a Veteran writer, Voracious reader, Historian and Commentator who has been writing in 21 newspapers in India and GCC countries for several decades on various subjects of importance.
His website www: rameshjethwani.com