The Pakistani government has postponed an idea of declaring India as the most-favored-nation as far as its economic and business relationship with India is concerned.  It has been done on the pretext of impending Lok Sabha election next month.  But this should not surprise the Indian leadership in New Delhi.  This topic has surfaced many a times in the past also with no fruitful results.  The basic cause of this failure on the part of Pakistani government is the pressure mounted on Islamabad by the nexus of ISI/Military as well the unlawful non-state militant actors in Pakistan.  It is true that healthy business relationship between countries brings prosperity for the people of those nations.  However, it is also true to allocate resources towards achieving this goal without understanding the crux of the problem is a waste of time, energy and resources.  We all know that the civilian government in Islamabad, even though democratically elected, has no say in making foreign policy decisions towards India without a nod emanating from the nexus of ISI/Military/militant non-state actors in Pakistan.  Yes, Mr. Sharif made lot of promises during his election campaign to improve relations with India, but he underestimated the pressure which the above nexus can thrust upon him to defeat his objective.  One hoped that Mr. Sharif, while making those wild promises during his election campaign, had  learnt some lessons from his failed policies of 1999 viz-a-viz dealing with the above nexus.  Unfortunately, not.  The nexus is still powerful and running the show in Pakistan.  In my opinion, India should not hold its breath and continue on the path of progress while opening up the markets to the whole world, bring new technology, improving educational standards, exploring new fields of energy and most importantly keep the basic needs of people at affordable prices.  NOT GETTING A MOST FAVORED NATION DECLARATION IS A LOSS TO PAKISTAN AND NOT TO INDIA.

Dharam Bahl (USA) 22 hrs ago

Mr. Yi's comments are very contradictory as far as occupation of other's territory is concerned. Mr. Yi's assertion that Japan has been occupying Senkaku island illegally and his government will do everything to extricate it from the Japanese clutches. He also seems to abhor anyone to occupy other's land. China's recent veiled comments about Russia being in Crimea ( part of Ukrain) is a live example. However, Mr. Yi's government has been occupying thousands of miles of an Indian territory in the north since 1962, his government violated the sovereignty of Tibet and has taken over the whole country since 1959, and also the daily encroachment in the Arunachal Pradesh (part of India) of Chinese soldiers is of no less significance. These are just a few contradictory examples which do not run parallel to what Mr. Yi is attributing in this article. Ironically, Mr. Yi also is insinuating that China wants to de-nuclearize that part of the world whereas his government is extending all sorts of financial assistance to North Korea to develop nuclear weapons. He also talks about 'no confrontation' model of relationship with his neighbors to have a 'win-win' situation whereas his comments to extricate the Island from under Japanese authorities with all Chinese might insinuate something else, and he further says that there is no compromise on this issue - how ironical it is? So the question now in front of the whole world is how to read the mind and acts of Chinese authorities as far as their occupation of others' territory is concerned. This writer has been left with no other conclusion than to say that China picks and choses what is suiting their needs first irrespective of what the whole world thinks and says. Having 'no confrontation', 'win-win' situation, as well as non-occupation of 'others' territory are just the political slogans to fool the world. THE BALL IS IN THE COURT OF AN INTERNATIONAL FORUM TO JUDGE THE SINCERITY OF CHINESE DESIGNS.

While Mr. Abdullah appreciates what AAP has started doing in Delhi to uproot corruption and bribery, he sounds helpless in doing the same in J & K.  His statement is very ironical.  On the one hand, he says he has all such legislation in books to make J & K free of corruption and bribery while on the other hand, he is blaming the people for not being helpful in getting these laws implemented.  This is exactly what is confusing.  If anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws exist, what is stopping his government to implement them.  Why can't he designate a telephone number the way AAP has been doing it in Delhi for the public to lodge all bribery and corruption complaints.  Once the complaints are received, follow them and bring the culprits to books.  He has quoted many areas where the local government is aware of existence of bribery and corruption.  May be these departments are a good start.  Removal of corruption and bribery needs deeds not political statements.

It is very interesting to note as to how BJP has started following the foot steps of AAP for handling corruption/bribery cases in MP by designating a special telephone number for the victims to contact the authorities.  Also, a similar instance happened in Mumbai. A local Congress official requested his higher authorities to curtail the electric and water charges for the residents right after AAP made such an announcement in Delhi.  Though these steps are in the right direction to eliminate corruption from the society irrespective of which party initiated this action, but one wonders the intent and timing of such announcements.  If BJP and Congress are so interested in the removal of this societal evil, they could have done it decades ago when they were in power many a times.  Therefore, this writer has some apprehensions about their serious intent.  One can easily conclude that this is just an eye wash to throw some fodder for their voting constituency for the impending national elections.  As far as corruption, bribery and hoarding of black money are concerned, the leaders in both parties, rather I would say in most of the political parties in India, have skeletons in their closets.  However, this is an opportune time to either join hands with the party which is bent on eliminating corruption from the society or change your existing party manifesto reflecting anti-corruption and anti-black money to have a solo power at the center.  Mind you, this intent and manifesto have to be very clear, sincere and without any nepotism failing which there is no chance to survive now.  The Indian people have awaken and now know that there is someone to show them the guiding light to move forward with a clean societal slate.  The test now is to check who has the will power and good intention to make India a great nation free of this societal evil.  IT WILL BE A SHOT IN THE ARM IF ALL POLITICAL PARTIES - AT LEAST THE MAJOR ONES - TO JOIN HANDS WITH A PLEDGE TO THINK ABOUT THE COUNTRY FIRST.

Mr. Shinde indeed has made a very tall claim to capture Mr. Dawood with or, I guess, without the help of any outside force.  If India initiates any surreptitious action in this regard,  India, of course, has to be prepared militarily to face any repercussion in the event  of any retaliatory action taken by Pakistan.  One can't undermine the significance of Mr. Shinde's statement, but one wonders the timings of his statement.  Mr. Dawood has been living in Pakistan since 1993 and moving freely in the Middle East region with the knowledge of the whole world.  India has not been able to capture him for the last 20 years and all of a sudden Mr. Shinde's statement is mind boggling. Is it because India has been able to improve upon his intelligence, or has it gotten any assurance from the FBI or other outside source to capture him, or Mr. Nawaj Sharif's government is willing to cooperate to hand over Mr. Dawood to India, or is it just the opportune time to make this type of eye-opening statement right before the national election to create a fodder for the Congress voting bank? Out of these scenarios, this writer feels compelled to waive the options of improvement in the intelligence as well as any outside assurance from FBI especially in view of deteriorating relationship between India and the USA over the diplomatic imbroglio.  Since Mr. Nawaj Sharif wants to improve relationship with India, it will be a test for him to show his sincerity towards this mission and hand over Mr. Dawood to India.  Of course, this writer does not have the privilege to know if there is any implied understanding between India and Pakistan on this topic, but time will tell.   The only option left is the last one which refers to the timing of this statement.  Since the national election is not too far, the voting bank of India needs to really understand the reality of issues and the sincerity of the leaders before casting their votes.  BALL IS IN THE COURT OF INDIAN VOTERS.

The announcement by the AAP in Delhi regarding setting up special courts and appointing additional judges to dispose off all crime cases against the female community of India within 6 months is a music to the ears.  Not only it is a good news for the female community but rather for the whole country and this writer just hopes that this action becomes a guiding light for the other states in India towards this heinous crime.  Of course, time will be the best judge to observe the efficacy of this new legislation, but it is certainly a step in the right direction to eradicate or reduce the phobia of this crime.  As enacting legislation is important to handle such cases, it is equally paramount to incorporate tough punishment for the criminals to avoid occurrence of this inhuman behavior.  This writer holds a firm belief that, once a crime is proven, a minimum imprisonment of 5-10 years without parole should be automatic irrespective of age, creed, status or a party affiliation of a criminal, and God forbid if a life of a victim is involved, then a death penalty should not be considered out of line.  Protection of a female community is very essential for the well-being of a society and it is the duty of the leaders to ensure that this security is provided to the female community unfettered.  MY KUDOS TO THE AAP FOR TAKING THIS BOLD INITTIATIVE.

This crime with a girl of such a tender age is so heinous that it is difficult to find a word to express one's annoyance and anger in the English dictionary.  Unfortunately, this type of crime happens almost everyday in the Indian cities without any right kind of punishment for the perpetrators.  In order to stop or at least reduce these crimes, it is an opportune time for the Indian judiciary to implement laws awarding a harsh punishment to the criminals as well as a quick disposal of these type of cases.  It is true that the machinery under a democratic system is slow, inefficient and consists of corruption and nepotism, but the responsibility lies on the shoulders of the judiciary to make sure these negative systems are not allowed to crawl into the implementation of anti-rape legislation.  When this writer talks about a harsh punishment, it means once the guilt is proven, the criminal ought to go behind bar for 10-15 years without any parole, and if the rapist becomes responsible for the life of a victim, a death penalty should be awarded automatically.  What happened in December 2012 in Delhi is a live example and this writer applauds the decision announced by the judiciary for the perpetrators.  This type of decisions should be the guiding light on a nationwide basis for any such heinous crime because harsh punishment is the only way to safeguard the honor, prestige and liberty of the female community in the country.  I wonder if the leaders of the nation have the courage and responsibility to help promulgate such legislation.  Speaking specifically of this instance, raping a 5-year old girl warrants a death penalty without wasting too much time in the legal courts.