Letters to The Editor — March 25, 2026

War ‘breather’

The sudden ‘pause’ in the West Asia conflict offers a much-needed, though uncertain, reprieve amid the prolonged U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran (Front page, March 24). The aimless military aggression has also inflicted widespread devastation in the Gulf region. There has also been a frequent shifting of goalposts by the United States. With the unilateral announcement of an abrupt pause, it is still hazy whether Israel and the U.S. are on the same page. Further, given the veracity of Mr. Trump’s assurances earlier, it remains to be seen whether the ‘peace rhetoric’ that he has chosen can yield tangible results in cessation of war. Perhaps India can leverage its core diplomatic strengths — its bonhomie with Israel and friendly bilateral relations with Iran and the Gulf nations — in forging a durable peace in the region.

G. Ramasubramanyam,

Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh

The war between U.S.-Israel and Iran has caused immense suffering throughout the world. However, it is welcome news to acknowledge the possibility of a truce deal. The UN must step in and facilitate dialogue between the warring nations. Regional intergovernmental organisations too must step up efforts to secure the trade of oil and gas and also prevent further escalations.

Manas Agarwal,

Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh

Impact on small investors

The turbulence in Indian equity markets ever since the West Asia conflict began has hit small retail investors disproportionately hard. Unlike institutional players with hedging tools and diversified portfolios, the individual investor who entered the market during the post-COVID-19 boom often has neither the knowledge nor the liquidity buffer to ride out sustained volatility. What he needs now is practical guidance. Systematic investment plans, spread across debt and equity, remain the most sensible instruments.

A. Myilsami,

Coimbatore