Revisiting non-violenceOctober 2, celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti, reminds us of Mahatma Gandhi’s enduring principles of truth and non-violence. Yet, just days later, October 7 marked two years of the Israel-Gaza war — a conflict that reflects how distant the world remains from those ideals. With over 67,000 lives lost in Gaza and Israel’s military actions extending to neighbouring countries, its goals of disbanding Hamas and rescuing hostages remain unmet. In attempting to destroy Gaza, Israel has lost much of its global support, while the vision of a secure West Asia, once strengthened through groupings such as I2U2 and the IMEEC corridor, now seems far from reality.This situation underscores the relevance of Gandhi’s message. War can never be a conclusive solution to moral or political disputes. It is only a contest of destruction watched by a weary global audience. Choosing war over peace and outrage over Satyagraha will never be a sane or sustainable choice.Suchhanda Banerjee,Chanddanagar, West BengalU.K.-India tiesThe visit of the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, to India has been described as the dawn of a new era in bilateral relations.Trade, technology and defence cooperation are on the table. Yet, the shadow of history still looms large. Can two nations once bound by colonial chains truly build a partnership of equals? As Britain seeks allies beyond Europe, will it see India as a partner of strength or only as a market of convenience?Hasnain Rabbani,MumbaiPublished - October 09, 2025 12:24 am IST