Rich slumber

Sir — Early to bed and early to rise makes a person healthy, wealthy and wise, or so goes the adage. A recent study by Bristol University has bolstered this link between wealth and slumber — people who manage to put aside a monthly amount in the form of savings get better sleep and have more optimism about the future than non-savers. While the importance of saving cannot be overemphasised, putting aside money has become difficult in India with dwindling employment opportunities and rising inflation. Does the research then end up rehashing the fact that the rich are more likely to get better sleep?

Prabir Sinha, Calcutta

Diplomacy lessons

Sir — There are two key takeaways from the recent visit to Russia by the prime minister, Narendra Modi (“In Russia, Modi gets US nudge”, July 11). First, bilateral ties between New Delhi and Moscow have strengthened significantly, covering several sectors like trade, commerce and agriculture.

Second, Modi did not shy away from reminding India’s all-weather friend that a solution to the Ukraine conflict was not possible on the battlefield as he flagged concerns about the Russian airstrike on a children’s hospital in Kyiv. India’s stress on dialogue as a solution to the Russia-Ukraine stalemate is remarkable. Such a pragmatic approach has ensured that India maintains a critical distance from both the West and Russia.

Khokan Das, Calcutta

Sir — Narendra Modi has been conferred with the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle — Russia’s highest civilian award. However, he would have been more deserving of that honour had he not been such a polarising figure. Modi’s 10 years in power have been characterised by increasing attacks on minorities and government dissenters. Modi’s diplomacy in Russia is worth a mention. After hugging the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, and speaking of Indo-Russia ties in glowing terms, Modi went on to comment on the futility of the Russian aggression against Ukraine. Not only is India the biggest buyer of Russian crude oil but it must also keep Russia in good humour to counter China’s expansionist moves. It remains to be seen whether Modi’s words can dissuade Putin from continuing the war.

G. David Milton, Maruthancode, Tamil Nadu

Sir — The optics of Narendra Modi embracing Vladimir Putin has put India’s balancing act on the Russia-Ukraine war under scrutiny (“Walk on ice”, July 11). The timing of the gesture coincided with Russia’s missile attack on a children’s hospital in Ukraine. This has raised eyebrows across the globe.

India has been prioritising bilateral engagements with Moscow as well as censuring Putin’s war on Ukraine. This is an example of smart diplomacy. India must now find allies in the West who will acknowledge the country’s growing potential for business.

Sudipta Ghosh, Murshidabad

Sir — Vladimir Putin’s bonhomie with Narendra Modi was an attempt by the former to prove that he is not isolated from the rest of the world. India, too, tried to position itself as a bridge between the West and Russia. But given Moscow’s increasing proximity to Beijing, India could not have afforded to alienate Russia at any cost.

D.P. Bhattacharya, Calcutta

Sir — Narendra Modi’s penchant for self-aggrandisement knows no bounds. Being the leader of the world’s largest democracy, he chose to hug Vladimir Putin, a war criminal. This was a devastating blow to global peace efforts. Modi goes in for such optics to project himself as the most acclaimed leader. He could have treaded the bilateral interactions cautiously given the sensitive geopolitical relations of the time owing to the Ukraine war.

P.K. Sharma, Barnala, Punjab