This refers to ‘GM mustard deserves the green signal’ by G Chandrashekhar (May 17). Although GM technology may appear to be beneficial, the biological effects on humans after long-term consumption needs to be considered deeply. We have to also see if it’s been widely employed in other countries and what the adverse consequences are. The extent of research on the long-term consumption of GM food needs to be examined thoroughly. Genetic modification involves modification of the structural formation of the product and the reaction of such modification on the human biological system is important to consider.

TR Anandan

Coimbatore

Strategy plays

This is with reference to the edit, ‘Pax Sinica?’ (May 17). Diplomacy is the art of nourishing bilateral relations irrespective of the stand taken by other nations, and sustaining goodwill internationally. By opting out of the summit, this strategy for India has taken a beating. The geopolitical conditions in Asia and South Asia suggest are inescapable pointers for India to revisit its foreign policy.

India has advanced towards China on many counts including the establishment of the New Development Bank under the aegis of Brics. This lead has to be taken forward. India’s participation in the summit would have given a platform to consolidate our perception, and partake of the benevolence of OBOR.

India has missed the bus of opportunity. It might not alter our claim for PoK but an infusion of trust from India would have been conveyed to China. Pragmatically, India cannot afford to maintain unilateral aloofness when others in the region have accepted this beltway for their growth.

B Rajasekaran

Bengaluru

If China is really interested in Pax Sinica , it should have first taken key nations such as India into confidence. India has taken various initiatives — bus service to Lahore, peace talks, inviting Saarc leaders to the swearing-in of Modi and his surprise visit to Pakistan. Whenever India tries to isolate Pakistan as a nation harbouring terrorism and seeks to ban Masood Azhar at the UN Security Council, China block the attempts.

Therefore, how can India be a partner in the OBOR initiative, when the partners are unreliable? India will not blindly bypass any fruitful multilateral forum or association that yields mutual benefits. India has joined hands with Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa and founded New Development Bank. Without eradicating terror outfits in Pakistan, nothing can forge a New World Order.

S Lakshminarayanan

Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu

Lacking vision

The new IIP data series reveals the real effect of demonetisation on the already ailing economy. There are no visible or latent positive impact. Though the intention of the Government was good, not visualising the bottlenecks and its impact has hurt the economy. The hype over going digital has also died down, with most service providers withdrawing waiver of service charges for online transactions, including the railways.

The volume of cash transactions at the consumer levels has returned. The Government should continue to incentivise non-cash transactions. From cinema tickets to airline tickets, convenience charges are levied for online and digital transactions, whereas there should be discounts. The saddest part is the elimination of hundreds of small vendors.

S Veeraraghavan

Coimbatore

Erratum

Regarding the news report ‘Tube Investment profit dives to ₹72.50 crore in Q4’ (May 16), the company has pointed out that, excluding exceptional items, it has reported a 16 per cent increase in Profit Before Tax and Exceptional Items at ₹65 crore during the quarter (₹56 crore in the comparable previous quarter). There was a one-time exceptional item of stake sale in Chola MS General Insurance to JV partner Mitsui Sumitomo in the previous period. For the full year TII has recorded a 69 per cent growth in Profit Before Tax and Exceptional Items at ₹238 crore (₹140 crore).

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