Can the US grow in isolation?

Apropos of ‘America’s great unravelling begins at home and abroad’; Trump’s tariff war is dismantling the settled trade system, which was beneficial to the comity of nations. Trump wants to Make America Great Again (MAGA), but can it grow in isolation? Rather, it seems to be following a self-destructive course. Nations grows in mutuality — it’s a “you scratch my back, I will scratch yours” arrangement. It is laudable that the US, being a humongous economy, has hand-held many small economies through not-so-harsh trade regimes in the past. It would have been better had Trump operated through dialogue rather than by force. What is Trump’s real agenda — MAGA or making the world bow to its supremacy? It appears current churnings are likely to throw up a new economic order.

HMS Nagra, Faridabad

AI-driven language divide

Refer to ‘India’s AI push faces linguistic hurdle’; India’s language diversity poses a major challenge to AI advancement, especially in natural language processing and communication. Most AI tools favour English and a few dominant regional languages, sidelining millions who speak the less-popular native dialects. This exclusion is contributing to a growing digital divide, limiting the inclusive role of AI-driven services. To address this problem, focused efforts are needed to develop comprehensive language datasets, robust speech recognition systems and accurate translation tools in native languages. Such initiatives will help make AI technologies more accessible, equitable and beneficial for various regions in India.

Sikandar Bansal, Shimla

Trump’s priorities clear

In a bid to weaken China’s superiority, Trump has imposed maximum tariffs on imports from China. To check Iran, Trump has warned the Islamic state to stop its nuclear programme. His priorities in his second term seem to be clear — stopping China from becoming more powerful and eradicating Islamic terrorism. Strangely, Trump has given custody of 26/11 Mumbai blasts accused Tahawwur Rana to India. Delhi can afford to cock a snook at both China and Pakistan, who have an unholy alliance against India. China is a threat at the border, whereas Pakistan continues to sponsor terrorism in India.

Ashok Bahl, kangra

Golden chance for India

Apropos of ‘Rana’s extradition; it is a big opportunity for India to expose Pakistan’s hand in one of the deadliest attacks on India’s financial capital. This is a golden chance for India’s investigating agencies to get to the truth of the 26/11 attacks. Pakistan continues to use terrorism as an instrument of state policy, even though it is badly affected by the menace of terrorism itself. However, it fails to learn a lesson and make amends in its policy. It is in Pakistan’s interest to stop sponsoring terrorism.

RAVI SHARMA, Dhariwal

Options before RBI

Refer to ‘Repo rate cut’; it implies that in the absence of any shocks, the Monetary Policy Committee will consider two options — maintain the status quo or cut interest rates further. This appears to be an easy monetary policy to stimulate the economy. Given the varied responses by different countries, the effects of Trump’s policies remain uncertain. The global economic outlook has become muddied. The pace and the extent of further reductions in the interest rate will be determined by how the domestic growth-inflation dynamics evolve amidst the ongoing trade war.

SS Paul, Nadia

Privilege of being Ram Rahim

Frequent parole to convicted rapist Dera Sacha Sauda chief Ram Rahim by the Haryana Government has made a mockery of the ruling party’s ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ slogan. The BJP makes tall claims of being women welfare-oriented. Unfortunately, the atrocities committed on women are judged on the basis of whether the crime has happened in a BJP-ruled state or other ones. The stand of the National Commission for Women also depends on its top brass’ allegiance to the party in power at the Centre.

Yash Khetarpal, Panchkula

Letters to the Editor