With reference to ‘Iran talks in limbo’ (April 28), the US-Iran talks have been deadlocked with both sides refusing to yield on their respective demands. While the impasse in talks continues, the respective intransigent positions on reopening the Strait of Hormuz by Iran and ending of blockade of Iranian ports by the US has put a Gordian knot on the issue. President Donald Trump has upped the rhetoric, as he is worried about the impact of war on the US midterms coming up in November. However, Iran received a boost with Russia saying that it would “do everything possible to bring peace to West Asia”, during Iranian Foreign Minister’s visit to Russia. In the meantime, world continues to suffer. The closure of Strait of Hormuz is pushing global oil prices north again and increasing the possibilities of a global economic downturn. Trump should realise the extent of harm he is inflicting on the world by starting the Iran war and find out a quick way to end the war.

Kosaraju Chandramouli

Hyderabad

Depository structure

With reference to ‘A quiet revolution in depository architecture’ (April 28), the slew of depository operational and administrative reforms in the securities market code 2025 are timely and expands the functional scope towards investor protection.

The depository, in its new form as market infrastructure institution, paves the way for holding the instruments and documents in non-physical form, of various classes of assets and other regulated instruments apart from the securities in securities market, to ensure custodial trust and safety. The redesignation of depository participants as members of depository, no doubt shifts the accountability and improves operational efficiency, however in the absence of upgradation of skills in handling huge and complex volume of transactions at the DP level, the same may end up in more investor complaints.

Sitaram Popuri

Bengaluru

Assist J&K horticulturists

This is with reference to ‘J&K horticulturists need storage infra, access to markets’ (April 28). The government cannot afford to ignore the hardships faced by farmers and others dealing in Kashmiri apples, which are a source of livelihood to nearly 35 lakh people. The authorities should improve infrastructure including the transport system and roads so that the apples can move swiftly from Kashmir to various parts of the country. Also,

construction of cold storage facilities on a co-operative basis will go a long way in reducing the problems faced by these apple growers

Veena Shenoy

Thane

Published on April 28, 2026