New Delhi, July 27: Hina Rabbani Khar is on her first visit to India as Pakistan’s Foreign Minister. On arrival, the 34-year-old hospitality graduate outlined her recipe for Indo-Pak ties.
Khar said, “I hope that these two countries have learnt lessons from history, but are not burdened by history and we can move forward as good, friendly neighbours.”
India too has struck the right note. Nirupama Rao surprised many when she told that Pakistan’s attitude to terror had changed and that India should take note of it.
But sweet words can’t hide stark differences on 26/11, terrorism and Kashmir. India will raise the glacial pace of the 26/11 probe and trial and while Pakistan has once again ruled out giving voice samples of the Pakistani suspects to India.
India will hand over a new, revised list of most wanted terrorists and militants but Pakistan has again allowed Hafiz Saeed to threaten a Jihad against India – on the eve of the talks.
India will raise the arrest of Kashmiri separatist leader Ghulam Nabi Fai, seeking an end to the Pakistani State’s ties with militancy and terrorism.
While Pakistan is expected to defend Fai as a champion of the Kashmiri cause.
Indian government sources described Hina Rabbani Khar’s meeting with the Hurriyat as a bad idea. Khar’s first official engagement in Delhi was with the Mirwaiz and Syed Ali Shah Geelani.
On the positive side, the foreign ministers will announce new CBMs – which will make trade and travel between the two Kashmirs easier.
But Afghanistan has no place on the agenda. Indicating that Pakistan continues to want to limit India’s role in its western neighbour – as part of its strategic
–Agencies