NUSA DUA, INDONESIA:
As Pakistan and the United States share a common, strategic aim of combating terror groups, Islamabad does not need any cajoling on the issue, newly appointed Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said on Saturday.
Khar’s remarks came after she held talks with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the 18th Asean Regional Forum (ARF) Foreign Ministerial Meeting on the Indonesian island of Bali.
For the past several months, Washington and Islamabad have been engaged in often bitter recriminations over the kind of cooperation they expect from each other in the battle against militants.
Asked if Clinton prodded her on tackling militants operating from within Pakistan, Khar said: “We have the same strategic objective.”
“Pakistan is the first one to suffer because of terrorism, because of militancy. Pakistan is doing it for itself. You don’t need cajoling on that; that is in our national interest.”
During their talks, Clinton underscored the importance of bilateral relations while noting that Pakistan, as a nation, had great potential. She said that terrorism was a common threat both to Pakistan and the US, and stressed the need for continued close cooperation.
The US secretary of state also congratulated Khar on assuming her new responsibilities.
India talks
On her upcoming talks with her Indian counterpart SM Krishna in New Delhi, Khar said: “My expectation is to have a positive development in our relationship with India.”
Khar declared the talks between her country and India as a positive step and said India was serious in the composite dialogue process. Talking to a private news channel, she said the priority of her government in the conference with India is to set a future direction in the bilateral relationship.
Highlighting Pakistan’s position during the upcoming talks with India, she said that the government wanted to “look at the entire picture and at the root causes of problems”. She said during the talks, the two sides will take stock of progress made at the secretary-level talks.
The foreign minister asserted that Pakistan was pro-actively engaging with neighbouring countries, particularly Afghanistan and India, to achieve sustainable peace and stability in the region. It has been a baptism by fire for Khar, who was appointed to the post just this week, after five months as minister of state for foreign affairs. Besides Clinton, she also met Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on the sidelines of the security forum in Indonesia.
The meeting with Krishna will put her at the forefront of a complex, mutually antagonistic and volatile relationship between the two countries.
Khar, 34, also said she was comfortable about being in a senior post at a young age.
“Our culture reveres anyone who has the ability to work for the country and young or old does not make such a difference as much as what your approach is, what your goals are and as much as how you approach a problem,” she said.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 24th, 2011.
COMMENTS (32)
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Don’t forget: She is not on her own!!
I am not surprised with her appointment... The position she holds is useless and powerless.. The whole world know that its kayani who calls the shot in foreign policy.... I don't see any point in this... yawn.. going to be another useless talk at the cost of taxpayer's money..
@asma riaz: Totally agree. Inshallah.
The test for our new FM is to be on the same page as those who actually guide our foreign policy and use her ability to package the narrative realistically for onward transmission. This is a difficult task and her credibility rides on this.
US already has a problem taking Pakistan seriously, given the gross incompetence at the top; But they will have no problem with this incompetent in the FO. Why do we always look for juveniles, drug addicts, senile oldies and the likes.?
"Pakistan is the first one to suffer because of terrorism, because of militancy."
Pakistanis shout that Pakistan is a bigger victim of terrorism. No one in their right mind will buy it.
If my dog bites my neighbor, I'm responsible for it. If my dog bites me, I'm still responsible for it. Maybe, people of Pakistan should look beyond religious books and use some common sense, when they claim that they're victims of terror.
The one good thing about the appointment of a young lady is the fact that she does not carry the baggage of partition politics. She is born well after the partition when the memories of atrocities from both sides have subsided and she may not carry the same hatred toward India as some older politicians have. As far as her tender age is concerned another foreign minister has the similar career at the same age. He was representing Pakistan at the UN before he was 30. At 30, he became the youngest member of the federal cabinet of Pakistan and at 34 years of age, he became the foreign minister. His name is Z. A. Bhutto. I am not saying that she is ZAB, but let us give her a chance and see what happens, after all she is not appointed for life. Pakistan does need a paradigm shift and who knows this is the time?
Give her a chance - she just may be the next big hit. Krishna or Clinton - national affairs are not effected by age or looks.
@Osman F....likes of Krishna?? the same Krishna who read the wrong speech on UN n his aide had to stop him...C'mon come out of this sense of inferiority & stop criticizing everything... & someone pointing on her education as third class must b very insane...she is perhaps more educated than those critics...
Madam Foreign Minister, how I wish there was some truth in your words, " Pakistan is doing it for itself. You don’t need cajoling on that; that is in our national interest.” What national interest if I may know? The only national interest that our leadership has been pursuing for the last sixty four years is pulling the wool over our eyes by inventing new lies and unfounded fears. Diplomacy requires energy, passion, flexibility, ambition, wit and above all intellectuality. It is a thankless job but someone has to do it and since the ruling PPP and the GHQ have reposed a full trust in your capabilities I hope you will do your very best in representing the legitimate interests of Pakistan with sincerity of purpose. Indians are us, there are no other two nations like us who share a common gene-pool, history and culture. We must strengthen our common bonds and learn to ignore our differences, our forefathers shed blood together on the frozen plains of Europe and deserts of Mesopotamia and later in North Africa and Jungles of Burma. We both need to recognize that we are not only neighbors but the children of a common mother and there is nothing we cannot agree upon as long as it is done in an atmosphere of trust and understanding.
I don't believe one has to be old to be an efficient politician. When JFK and BO can be president of the America in their 40s, why not a person be a good FM in her 30s. The hick up is, in Pakistan foreign policy is army's domain and it will be interesting to see how she is going to cope up with the khakis. I wish her well.
Off with old and on with new!! Welcome Ms Khar! You are definately a breath of fresh air. Many are jealous of your age and smartness. You will surprise your jealous critics with your 'no nonsense' wise approach! Ms Hina Rabbani Khar, Congragulations, Pakistan is proud of you!! May God Bless You in meeting the challenge and serving your country. Ameen!
Up to now she seems to be confident. I bet if given free hand she can prove to be better than "Used Cartridges". People in India must be waiting curiously to see her way of engaging her counterparts on important issues.
Why are the Pakistanis bashing her? She speaks well, is coherent, sounds open minded and educated ... it seems she easily is in the top 10 good things currently one could attribute to Pakistan. Even she does not accomplish anything big, she portrays a nice polished side of Pakistan - she represents the urban Pakistani youth.
A lot of my personal ambitions for Muslim women ride on her. She is bright, intelligent and she will prove that she is tough as nails. Conduct of foreign policy does not depend on one person these days and so the fact that she is young will have entirely no bearing on how she puts forward the national interests of Pakistan. Her age should be judged on the basis of average life span of a Pakistani. Surely, exhuming a "seasoned" man from his grave will not bring experience to the job. Here is wishing the new Foreign Minister of Pakistan the best!
I am sure, its been quite an experiance for her !! But the honeymoon period will not last long , as there are too many major problems arriving at her ministry's doorstep very soon !!! I sincerely hope that she is not out of her depth, as this is not about her, but about her Nation's future welfare on line !!
I wish all the best to Hina Rabbani Khar.
Young people must demonstrate their ability to work on senior positions.
I am also proud that KESC Chief Mr. Tabish Gauhar is also quite young and tackling the problems of electricity on individual and collective basis.
Mr. Tabish Gauhar has proved his capability. It is now the turn of Hina.
So one of the youngest Foreign Ministers will meet one of the Oldest to discuss one of the toughest international issues. Who would imagine that now !!
Vienna,23-07-2011 I am sure the young lady knows what is doable.Rome is not built in a day. There is no magic in fixing pieces of card board. That is the job of a child does as he/she begins to go to kinder garten, what they say KG classes of fun to begin with. I wish Hina Rabbani Khar success in navigating Pakistani politics. -Kulamarva Balakrishna
@H.A. Khan: Relaxing trade rules is ok but relaxing visa rules is not ok.
Would have been an interesting meeting -- Clinton probably wishes she was young again and Khar wishes she had the experience -- too bad you can't have both. Most countries would value experience over youth - apparently Pakistan doesn't.
The new Pak FM is making correct diplomatic statements so far but her real test will be in India, keeping in view of her negligible international experience in foreign affairs.
Oh My God.."Fai is a US citizen and will be able to resolve his present problem within the available system." HATS OFF to the lady...she is really a mature diplomat and knows how to set the tone right before heading for talks with India.....I hope leaders like her will bring a positive and constructive change in pakistan which, otherwise, is heading to stone age.....
Last night in an interview, she was being questioned about the agenda items and she was not aware!
Lesson one. Let the other side state what there intention is. Your job is to state Pakistan's intentions not the Indians. Amateurs.
What is new.
I feel Pakistan should seriously move and fast track the process of re-establishing very good relations with our neighbour India.
Both sides should adopt a pragmatic approach. Increase trade and commerce, relax visa regime and live like good neighbours