Telegraph.co.uk:Pakistan's new foreign minister charms India

[Poll_Blind]

From Telegraph.co.uk:

Hina Rabbani Khar, Pakistan's new foreign minister, secured a diplomatic breakthrough in New Delhi after sweeping India off its feet and into a "new era" of trade and co-operation in the war on terrorism.

Ms Khar, who at 34 became Pakistan's youngest and first female foreign minister earlier this month, emerged from talks with her Indian counterpart S.M Krishna, who at 79 is old enough to be her grandfather, with a series of agreements to boost security, trade, travel, sporting and cultural links between the nuclear rivals.

Politicians and commentators said her youth and glamour had been a factor in creating a "fresh start atmosphere" which led to the most productive talks since the neighbouring enemies came close to war following the 2008 terrorist attacks on Mumbai.

Ms Khar, a mother of two and former hospitality manager, was welcomed to India with unprecedented gushing headlines and flattering photographs praising her style and looks.

More at the link.



PB

[pampango]

1. Pakistan's foreign minister: The face of a new generation of peace with India?

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Global-News/2011/0727/Pakistan-s-foreign-minister-The-face-of-a-new-generation-of-peace-with-India


Indian Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna, left, and his Pakistan counterpart
Hina Rabbani Khar arrive for talks in New Delhi, India, July 27.

A fresh face is bringing new optimism to one of the oldest international spats. On her first visit to New Delhi, Pakistan’s new 34-year-old foreign minister said she is hopeful that a younger generation of Indians and Pakistanis can find peace.

“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,” said Hina Rabbani Khar, Pakistan’s youngest-ever foreign minister.

One indication of that happening: Social-media interactions between the two countries are burgeoning. Facebook reports that their site is now logging more than 200,000 interactions between Indians and Pakistanis each day. That’s up from 70,000 a day in April.

Peace in South Asia is going to take more than a photogenic foreign minister and Facebook friendships. But it’s difficult to imagine popular support for any peace deal without first building some connection between the residents of both countries.

Peace between India and Pakistan would be a good thing for the whole world. There are undoubtedly factions in both countries that don't want to see it happen.