I write to you in reference to Joyce Karam's excellent article Donald Trump says US working with Pakistan's Imran Khan to find way out of Afghan war (July 22).
During the Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s recent visit to the US, the American President Donald Trump suggested that India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked him for US mediation in Kashmir.
Mr Modi later denied these claims, and this stirred up controversy in the lower and upper houses of the Indian parliament.
The external affairs minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar categorically refused any external mediation in Pakistani-Indian affairs.
This is very confusing, and I think the government should clarify its position: did Mr Modi request the US’s help on Kashmir or not?
India’s position had always been that only bilateral talks can resolve border issues, and has repeatedly refused third-party mediation on this topic.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru
Experiencing UAE weather prepared me for heatwave
I write to you in reference to Taylor Heyman's article 'It reminds me of home': Emiratis say British heatwave is a breeze (July 25).
Having the same weather in Germany, I felt homesick for UAE for a long time. But I understand most other European people – it is really too hot for this continent and we can see the dry places suffering without water. In the UAE, there is also plenty of air conditioning, which makes a big difference.
Carmen Wicihs, Dubai
I am now really thankful for all those hot-weather-tricks I learned while living in the UAE, thanks!
Sarah Ruth Grace Woodward, Ipswich
I was sitting in the US heatwave and laughing. I didn’t even break a sweat. Eight years in the UAE has acclimatised me.
Beverly Newell, US
It is so uncomfortable here. The heat on public transport is unbearable.
Lorraine Bradley, UK
God bless all the hajj pilgrims on their way to holy Makkah
I write to you in reference to a picture posted on The National's Facebook page, with the following caption: "Palestinian Muslim pilgrims wave to their relatives as they sit in a bus at the Gaza's Rafah border, before crossing into Egypt on their way to Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah". Such happiness on their faces. God bless them.
Momina Bint Islam, Riyadh
Concorde’s visit to Dubai in 1974 made Arab history
I write to you in reference to James Langton's article In 1974, Concorde's visit to the Arabian Gulf was anything but harmonious (July 24). I loved reading this piece. My mum told me she was working at the Dubai airport when the Concorde landed, what a memorable moment in UAE history.
Maryam Mudeer, Sharjah
