Finally, China is also tasting a fruit it has been growing unintentionally for a long time which is very bitter, destructive and unpleasant.  This fruit is known as worldwide terrorism and the origin of this menace is not too far from Chinese border.  In fact it is next to the Chinese border called Pakistan.  Historically, China has been helping Pakistan with all kinds of assistance - militarily, economically as well as diplomatically.  While China was helping Pakistan for its own economic and military objectives, to their surprise, the militancy was shaping up in Pakistan and the Chinese from the Xijiang Province were being trained in Pakistan too.  It seems that what China recently witnessed at the Tiananmen Square is just a small sample of what is waiting in the wings to happen.  China ought to understand that Terrorism is a global phenomenon and not necessarily limited to a specific country.  Since the militants are using Pakistan as a training ground, one wonders why China or for that matter any country would like to maintain relationship with Pakistan - ground zero of flourishing Terrorism.  This writer is a firm believer of eradication of terrorism from the face of this earth and any contribution from any one is a big step towards the welfare and survival of a mankind.  WOULD CHINA LIKE TO TALK TO ITS FRIEND ACROSS THE BORDER NOT TO LET PAKISTANI TERRITORY BEING USED FOR THE TRAINING OF MILITANTS?

India's bashing of Pakistan is not without any base.  The daily skirmishes and deaths of civilian and army jawans on the border are facts based on which India tries to draw world's attention to the uncontrollable activities on the part of Pakistani establishment - Military/ISI nexus.  It is a well known fact that as far as Pakistan's relations with India are concerned, the civilian government in Islamabad has no control on the policy making and activities of ISI/Military nexus.  Therefore, instead of blaming India, Mr. Sharif ought to try to show some assertiveness on the activities of ISI/military nexus, may be by changing an organizational chart of Pakistan government with a Constitutional amendment, if need be.  Yes, it is a good sign that his government is trying to sit with the Taliban group to find out what they want and, hopefully, it will lead to some fruitful conclusion to bring peace in Pakistan and in the Region.  Even though it is a long shot, but one should not leave hope and that is what the whole world has HOPE.

What happened in Bihar is disgraceful.  It shows an inability or should one say a conspiracy on the part of local law and order authorities of not being able to sense or control this impending terror act which, according to report, was financed, monitored and executed by the ISI.  To a greater extent the responsibility of this mishap lies on the shoulder of central government also of not being able to put a leash on the activities of ISI in India.  One can understand that the governments in Bihar and at the center are opponents of BJP.  But here the question is not of party politics, rather it conveys a message of lack of intelligence, inability and a deep division in the political arena.  Keeping aside party politics, this writer looks at facts and based on the initial reports, the facts lead one to conclude that there is a great need of understanding among the policy makers to show unity, irrespective of party affiliation, when it comes to security of India.  Political differences and misunderstanding can be sorted out with dialogues among themselves or at the polling booths.  But this should not provide an opportunity to the nations across the border to exploit our internal political weakness.  INDIA  NEEDS TO BE PROACTIVE AGAINST THESE SO-CALLED IMPORTED TERRORIST ACTIVITIES

What Mr. Xi is saying is correct.  By establishing business, educational and cultural relationship is the only way to improve relationship and peace in the region.  He also referred to the border security issues with the neighboring countries which is very encouraging indeed.  I think China is on the right path if it really follows what Mr. Xi is intending to say in his address at the conference of Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee's Politburo.  However, this writer has some apprehensions about the real intent of Chinese government.  Chinese attitude and behavior towards the neighboring countries especially in the South and East China Sea area, and also Chinese territorial ambition around India - illegally penetrating into the Indian territory of Arunachal Pradesh, illegally occupying thousands of square miles in the Ladakh area and issuing separate paper visa to people intending to visit China from the Kashmir area. IS THIS WRITER MISSING SOMETHING?

This is just another ridiculous act on the part of Chinese government not to stamp the Indian passport of Indian citizens living in Arunachal Pradesh who are going to visit China, and rather the Chinese government issues a separate paper with the Chinese visa.  They had done the same thing for the Indian citizens living in Srinagar area.  Chinese action leads one to believe that the Chinese Government does not consider Arunachal Pradesh and Srinagar as part of India - these are disputed territories in the eyes of China.  Basically, this shows China's insatiable territorial ambition.  They are encroaching in Bhutan, have forcefully occupied Tibet since 1959, have been occupying thousand and thousand square miles of Indian territory in Ladakh/Leh  area since 1962.  They just walk into another countries' territories freely.  It appears that their increasing economic and military power have put a blinder in front of their eyes and they do not see and care of anything except to fulfill their desire to expand their empire.  I think it is about time that India takes up this issue at all international forums and reverse Chinese attitude so that Chinese can respect and honor the integrity and sovereignty of other countries.  When Sadam Hussain invaded Kuwait, the whole civilized world woke up and stood against Sadam Hussain.  Rest is history.  Now China is slowly and slowly pilfering the territories of other countries, one wonders why the civilized world is not paying any attention to Chinese activities and condemn them.  It sounds like a dual policy.  May be in case of Kuwait, western nations' economic interest  (OIL) was involved and in case of India and other small countries neighboring China, there is no economic interest involved.  Anyhow, whatever the reason may be, it is about time that the western nations take note of what China is doing to establish its own hegemony in Asia, if not worldwide, before it is too late.

Mr. Khurshid is right in saying that exchange of dialogues and communication is the only way to find solution to the problems lingering between India and Pakistan.  He is also right in stating that India should not play into the hands of jihadis and/or those who do not want to see any improvement of relations between these two countries.  Unfortunately, India has been treading on this path of exchanging dialogues and intense communication since 1947, but without any fruitful outcome. One wonders how long one can wait before any decision is made to tackle these problems via. other means.  Also, as the proverb goes, you need two to tango and you need two healthy hands to clap.  However, as the situation exists in Islamabad, the civilian government has no control on the Jihadis/ISI/Army nexus which is basically controlling the show in Pakistan.  So the civilian government can't stand on its two feet and can't take any action against the wishes of this nexus.  One wonders how can Delhi expect Islamabad government to deliver something worthwhile and long lasting when the legs and arms of the latter have been crippled.  INDIA CAN KEEP TRYING FOR ANOTHER 66 YEARS, BUT THIS WIRTER IS NOT VERY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT ANY FRUITFUL OUTCOME UNLESS THE STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATIONAL CHART OF CIVILIAN GOVERNMENT IN ISLAMABAD IS CHANGED.

Finally, the law has caught up with Mr. Lalu and he will pay the price of his misdeeds along with others who were involved in the same food scam or other illegal activities.  The Bihar court has made a right decision which is very badly needed in India to set a precedence in the country to lessen, if not eradicate, corruption from the society.  It is so ironical that Mr. Lalu pleaded before the judge to lessen his sentence because he was two times CM of Bihar and also a Railways Minister.  In my opinion, since he was holding such privileged posts, Mr. Lalu should have presented himself as a role model for the nation and stayed away from illegal activities.  Rather he chose to let his monetary greed take precedence over his moral and civil obligations. In view of the fact that Mr. Lalu and group has cheated the treasury with muti-crores of rupees, the financial penalty imposed on them is too little.  Their disproportionate assets ought to be taken into consideration also, and if not accounted for, should be confiscated and made them a state property.  One just hopes that this verdict sets a good example for others to abstain from such corrupt activities.

I do not agree with the views presented in this article which basically hold Kayani's presence in the army as the problem of creating bad sentiments and relations between India and Pakistan. Yes, Kayani is holding a good position - a position which has been influencing the decisions about India- but it is not the only problem. There are other elements - mainly ISI outfits along with fanatic Islamists groups - in Pakistan which do not want to see any improvement in these relations. No matter how hard the civilian government in Islamabad wants to ameliorate the relationship between the two countries, but the Jihadis and the ISI establishment always try to derail these efforts. They want to mold Pakistan into a conservative Islamist country running on Sharia Law which basically takes the people of a given country to the 7th century life style. Unless the organizational chart of civilian/army/ISI entities in Pakistan is changed - meaning that the civilian government in Islamabad is declared the "boss' and all other departments and establishments report to the civilian government, this writer is not very hopeful that any replacement of Mr. Kayani will be able to bring a sigh of relief in the relationships. So, instead of waiting for the scenario to improve in Pakistan, what India ought to do is to carry on with the effort to dismantle Pakistan- such as help the Baloch towards freedom, work with the Sindhi community towards independence, also see if the KP Province of Pakistan needs help to separate themselves from Pakistan. Once Pakistan is reduced only to one Province - Panjab Province- lot of issues will be settled automatically.

The Judge in Rajasthan court has taken an appropriate decision in this matter by proclaiming a death penalty to the perpetrator.  I am sure the female community will be very happy to note this verdict and any future such perpetrator will think twice before getting involved into this type of heinous action.  This writer understands that each State in India may have different laws, but this is a national issue and ought to be handled keeping in mind the security and honor of all the females in the country.  It is not an issue of a particular State.  If our female community is safe and honored, that safety will enrich the families and enriched families will make the nation enriched.  It is the voice of the time which needs to be heard, and a nationwide legislation should be proclaimed - a death penalty to the convicted perpetrator depending upon the severity of a rape case - definitely a minimum life term imprisonment without parole.  AT LEAST THE LEGISLTORS CAN DELIVER THIS MUCH.