Since a Congressman is critical of India's move to not join China-backed RCEP treaty, here's a reporters memory on an Indian commerce ministry led delegation to Pakistan via Attari-Wagah in Feb 2012.
It was supposed to be a historic, breakthrough visit in which Pakistan...(1/2)
It was supposed to be a historic, breakthrough visit in which Pakistan...(1/2)
..was to bestow Most Favored Nation status on India (we had already granted MFN to Pakistan & imposed no formal trade restrictions on them)
The 80+ Indian delegation was full of excitement. After all, it was the 1st visit by an Indian commerce minister in over 3 decades....
(2/3)
The 80+ Indian delegation was full of excitement. After all, it was the 1st visit by an Indian commerce minister in over 3 decades....
(2/3)
...to our perennially hostile, pain-in-the-arse neighbour.
There were no major outcomes from the visit for India. Even as the Indian minister was speaking at an event in Karachi, the Pakistan Cabinet met in Islamabad and refused to reciprocate with MFN status for India!
(3/4)
There were no major outcomes from the visit for India. Even as the Indian minister was speaking at an event in Karachi, the Pakistan Cabinet met in Islamabad and refused to reciprocate with MFN status for India!
(3/4)
But this embarassment did not dampen the spirits of some in the delegation...Exclusive gazal parties had been organized in honor of the dignitaries. The blue-label merry-making,, which had started on this side of the border, continued across as well.
(4/5)
(4/5)
Lasting into the wee hours, the free-flowing blue spirit led to red-faces all around as the visiting prima-don took to waking up late and being always delayed for meetings.
Members of the delegation recall that Lahore had lived up to its reputation for Punjabi hospitality.
(5/6)
Members of the delegation recall that Lahore had lived up to its reputation for Punjabi hospitality.
(5/6)
At Lahore, visiting Indian journos and industrialists (including a now infamous aviation entrepreneur) went hungry till late while waiting for dignitaries to emerge from a 'spirited meeting' at the Governors mansion till almost midnight.
(6/7)
(6/7)
There were other sideshows including the ISI's attempts to bug rooms of the Indian visitors, including the highest civil servant in the entourage!
In itself, this was not a surprise, but remember the visit had arisen out of Track-II diplomacy that was in vogue till 2014.
(7/8)
In itself, this was not a surprise, but remember the visit had arisen out of Track-II diplomacy that was in vogue till 2014.
(7/8)
Reports followed, including by Indian mission officials, which are said to have reached the ears of the good Dr in Delhi and 10, Janpath.
What had India achieved, except to be embarassed publicly by Pakistan when our Commerce Minister was on its soil?
So much for Track-II.
(8/8)
What had India achieved, except to be embarassed publicly by Pakistan when our Commerce Minister was on its soil?
So much for Track-II.
(8/8)
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