...we can still bank on the smile

Published July 27, 2011
"Pak Puts On Its Best Face," noted The Times of India, while mass circulation Hindi newspaper Navbharat Times said India was 'sweating over model-like minister.?
So, do we really need a caption here? ? AP photo
"Pak Puts On Its Best Face," noted The Times of India, while mass circulation Hindi newspaper Navbharat Times said India was 'sweating over model-like minister.? So, do we really need a caption here? ? AP photo
Khar said that she hopes dialogue would achieve a breakthrough in Pak-India relations. With all due respect, Ms. Khar, it remains OUR job to hope and YOUR job to be a part of the process that makes it happen. To top it off, ?Pakistan and India can move forward,? she said. And what a revelation that was! ? AFP photo
Khar said that she hopes dialogue would achieve a breakthrough in Pak-India relations. With all due respect, Ms. Khar, it remains OUR job to hope and YOUR job to be a part of the process that makes it happen. To top it off, ?Pakistan and India can move forward,? she said. And what a revelation that was! ? AFP photo
Observers expect little to emerge from Wednesday's meeting beyond some modest confidence-building measures connected to relatively uncontentious issues such as cross-border trade and people-to-people contacts. However, that royal wave is a pleasant addition to the usual. ? AP photo
Observers expect little to emerge from Wednesday's meeting beyond some modest confidence-building measures connected to relatively uncontentious issues such as cross-border trade and people-to-people contacts. However, that royal wave is a pleasant addition to the usual. ? AP photo
Such a pleasant addition that even Senior Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) party leader L. K. Advani goes ear-to-ear with his smile. ? AFP photo
Such a pleasant addition that even Senior Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) party leader L. K. Advani goes ear-to-ear with his smile. ? AFP photo
?A new generation of Indians and Pakistanis will see a relationship that will hopefully be much different from the one that has been experienced in the last two decades.? 
Yes, we are seeing it already. Qureshi made Indians angry, while you Ms.Khar are "clearly being looked at as a perfect combination of beauty and brains (source: AFP)." No need to mention diplomacy skills we assume? ? AP photo
?A new generation of Indians and Pakistanis will see a relationship that will hopefully be much different from the one that has been experienced in the last two decades.? Yes, we are seeing it already. Qureshi made Indians angry, while you Ms.Khar are "clearly being looked at as a perfect combination of beauty and brains (source: AFP)." No need to mention diplomacy skills we assume? ? AP photo
Indian Foreign Minister S. M. Krishna told reporters: ?I can confidently say that our relations are on the right track.? Khar probably agrees. What exactly is the right track ? or will that be discussed in the next round of talks? ? AFP photo
Indian Foreign Minister S. M. Krishna told reporters: ?I can confidently say that our relations are on the right track.? Khar probably agrees. What exactly is the right track ? or will that be discussed in the next round of talks? ? AFP photo
While Pakistan's FM said important things, Krishna's mind wandered over to Khar's meeting with the Kashmiri separatists. The Indian government sources and Krishna's face says it all - the talks did sour the atmosphere ahead of peace talks after all! ? AFP photo
While Pakistan's FM said important things, Krishna's mind wandered over to Khar's meeting with the Kashmiri separatists. The Indian government sources and Krishna's face says it all - the talks did sour the atmosphere ahead of peace talks after all! ? AFP photo
We now know at least that Khar's smile will leave an impression, even if nothing else does. ? AP photo
We now know at least that Khar's smile will leave an impression, even if nothing else does. ? AP photo

“This is indeed a new era in bilateral cooperation between the countries,” Pakistan's Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar stated on her first trip to India as FM. Let's be honest. The notion of a 'new era' arriving has been reiterated far too many times now - and if these talks go the way they usually do, then we'll be left waiting for a long, long time for the era that never arrived.

There are hopes that these rounds of Pak-India talks will be different but the language says something else.

 

Opinion

Editorial

Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...
Strange claim
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Strange claim

In all likelihood, Pakistan and US will continue to be ‘frenemies'.
Media strangulation
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Media strangulation

Administration must decide whether it wishes to be remembered as an enabler or an executioner of press freedom.
Israeli rampage
21 Dec, 2024

Israeli rampage

ALONG with the genocide in Gaza, Israel has embarked on a regional rampage, attacking Arab and Muslim states with...