India and Pakistan have been officially engaged in four wars and several diplomatic initiatives at peaceful co-existence since acrimony ever broke out between the two neighbors.
Every General in power or People's government from Pakistan has made overtures towards India and India has played along with suspicions intact and done its fair share of Tap Dances with each of those Pak leaders over time and come away bruised and disenchanted time and again.
Lasting peace is dreamed of by both sides ad-infinitum and that cherished dream is an expansionist ambition with subtle & strong under currents and Sabre rattling now and then & in the present too as this blog expresses itself.
That will always remain as long as Azad Kashmir and other bones of contention remain unresolved.
Well...time to take an inventory & focus on some positives:
1. Culturally the two nations have great interests in each other. What with many a former Bolly wood actor or actress of India having Pakistani Roots & vice versa a Begum Akthar or Suriya melody and classical queens of yesteryears gone by from Pak. Who can ever forget Late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and his tremendous vocals. All endearing indeed!
2. Many Prominent North Indian Politicians were also born in Undivided India, now part of Pakistan.
3. The Pakistani Cuisine.....aha....that's a delectable topic....and lip smacking and mouth watering indeed for me, at all times.
When ever I imagine Pakistani Cuisine I can feel the great Pakistani Rivers: Ravi, Beas, Sutlej and Jhelum rivulets & tributaries breaking out on my tongue.
AND then there is ….
4. Cricket & who can forget those turf wars and passions running wild!
5. Urdu poetry is another favorite topic of mine.
6. The people of both nations especially the non heretic people i.e. the educated and culturally elite of Pakistan are a treat to hear and talk to. No denying that.
I am sure by now every one reading & who ever is deeply interested in the subcontinent is wondering what is Koshy up to via this blog and what is new?
Well...so here I go....
I think a new chapter indeed has been opened with a New Lady Foreign Minister: Hina Rabbani Khar being sworn in & appointed by President Asif Ali Zardari, via his shadow PM. I may be quick to state this but let me hazard it any way, its perhaps so far a masterful Pièce de résistance diplomatic initiative by the Pak President himself for his beloved nation.
He by back ground is an entrepreneur, albeit of a shady kind as has been amply demonstrated by his overtures now and then and his acquired nick names from the past with added %age points and upward trajectory.
In-fact it baffles me that he has stayed on in power so far, despite many a rumblings all around him. The “Gods” do favor him.
He may be the current reigning slick willy of the Indian Subcontinent among its politicians in the midst of several political land mines.
There-in is my appreciation for his new masterful attempt at co-existence democracy with India & to broker peace with the World.
In-fact I should like to think he borrowed many leaves from Shashi Tharoor (former UN Diplomat and Indian Politician from my State of Kerala) in that he has put into practice: “Soft Power” as Shashi often talks off & believes in about India. Well Pak cannot match India in many vistas of its developments when ever they look across the border at India. However ….hey there is no caveat on borrowing a good idea for Diplomacy to work! So this Entrepreneur President works out this charming inoculation and hey presto the world gets to see Hina Rabbani Khar!
India with its Suave & seasoned S M Krishna, its very brilliant, tactical new US Ambassador and former Indian Foreign Secretary: Her Excellency Nirupama Rao & in the Era of Hillary Clinton world wide, You Mr. President do see a perfect crucible and an opportunity to roll the dice and viola what do we have: Hina Rabbani Khar!!!
Great move President Zardari. You have managed to stitch up an amalgam & left every one gaping and wondering: “Yes Pakistan indeed wants to soften its rough, sullied and battered image..... although baby steps, its a bold commendable initiative, given the fact that much water has flowed under the bridge in the neighborhood and internationally too.
I applaud your diplomatic initiative for friendly co-existence with ever friendly neighbor: Hindustan/Bharat/India and also a brave attempt to create a positive impact about Pak with an untried rookie as yet @ Diplomacy. So far you have pulled off a Soft Power coup d'état of sorts....
Genuine Best wishes, Salaam and Aadab!
These wishes come your way from a sincere genuine well-wisher of friendly neighboring ties with India and also to see the best for Pak....better days & years ahead.....Jai Hind, Congrats & Bravo! You do deserve the Kudos!
I should like to think even Quaid-e-Azam is lauding your most recent initiative from some where up above!
XXX-XXX
