Power on the Subcontinent
Sir: The war between India and Pakistan [Dec. 6] is, in reality, not for the benefit of the Bangladesh refugees, but to determine once and for all the sole power on the subcontinent and put the Soviets in a better position against China.
If India succeeds in overrunning East Pakistan, it is probable that the Bangladesh nation will be born, leaving West Pakistan but a minor power to be reckoned with. In this way, India will also strengthen her position against China by eliminating an ally of the Chinese and a threat to her flanks. The Soviets will benefit not only by securing bases to operate at will in the strategically important Indian Ocean, but also by obtaining a stronger position to contain the Chinese.
MARK E. SINGER Champaign, Ill.
Sir: I am at a loss to understand how it serves the interests of this country to befriend the theocratic dictatorship, Pakistan, against democratic India. It is true that Pakistan once provided us with a base for flying U-2 spy missions over the Soviet Union. But since then, she has been blackmailing us continually into giving her sophisticated weaponry by threatening to go over to Communist China. It is well known that not one shot supplied by us to Pakistan has ever been used against the Communists. The arms have always been used against India, and lately against the Bengalis in the East. We must revise our policies before we have irretrievably pushed India into the Soviet orbit, thus imperiling democracy in Asia.
A. DATTA Greensboro, N.C.
Sir: I can already see the Statue of Liberty in tears over the hypocrisy of the U.S. Government. I am, however, heartened by the moral support of the American people in general for the cause of Bangladesh. It seems that there is a yawning gap between the conscience of the American people and the policy of their Government.
RAJEEV K. MAHAJAN New Delhi
Sir: Which of the two events should be more alarming—a clash between two armies resulting in a few hundred deaths, or the systematic killing of a million innocent people? If world leaders were more pragmatic, the double tragedy could have been avoided long ago.
SHYAM B. BHANDARI Iowa City, Iowa
Sir: For some it is fairly easy to put blame on India for the deterioration of the situation in the subcontinent. However, these observers seem to overlook the fact that India has acted with restraint and patience for the last nine months, struggling hard to feed, shelter and cure the 10 million extra people in the already overcrowded country while the world "watched."
MAHESH C. BHARDWAJ Lexington, Ky.
Sir: May I comment on the unbelievable restraint exercised by President Yahya Khan in the face of continuous provocations by India. Each and every Pakistani proposition was rejected by the "peace-loving" followers of Mahatma Gandhi. Was there ever a better example of dire contradiction in the sayings and actions of a civilized government?
S.N. AHMAD Zurich
The Live War