The new Pakistani foreign minister’s maiden visit to India began with a lot of hope. “I bring the good wishes of the people of Pakistan and the government of Pakistan,” said Hina Rubani Khar immediately upon landing in New Delhi on Tuesday,
Interestingly, Khar chose to meet separatist leaders of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, a front organisation that espouses the cause of Kashmiri separatism, before her crucial meeting with her Indian counterpart S.M. Krishna on Wednesday.
Notably, Khar met both the warring factions of the Hurriyat Conference — led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. During the meeting, The 34-year-old minister has reportedly conveyed to the Hurriyat leaders Pakistan’s position on Kashmir. Incidentally, Khar had met the Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front chief Yasin Malik in Lahore on Monday.
On Wednesday, apart from S.M. Krishna, Khar will also meet Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Opposition leader Sushma Swaraj. Now all eyes are on how the communication goes between the two foreign ministers, who have a gap of 45 years between them.
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