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Symbolism may well be the sole working theme of the troubled Indo-Pak peace process, but even that seemed lost on external affairs minister Salman Khurshid on Saturday.
Khurshid disregarded rumblings from within his own government as well as inflamed public opinion as he hosted a sumptuous lunch for visiting Pakistan Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and his 50-member entourage at Jaipur's Rambagh Palace hotel.
Ashraf flew into Jaipur in a Pakistan Air Force plane on his way to the sufi shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer. It was a private visit, but the welcome extended by Khurshid, a key member of the Cabinet Committee on Security, to Ashraf raised eyebrows all around.
The brutal killing of two Indian soldiers along the Line of Control on January 8 is still a fresh memory; the family of one of the soldiers who was beheaded wants Pakistan to return the head.
On Friday, PM Manmohan Singh told Parliament that ties with Pakistan could not be normalised until "the terror machine still active there was brought under control".
Khurshid was, however, unstoppable. He flew to Jaipur in an Indian Air Force Embraer jet to host a lunch for Ashraf.
While most Congress leaders preferred to stay silent, CWC member Shakeel Ahmed said, "It is a normal, minimum courtesy extended to a visiting head of government. The PM has made it clear that official talks will not be held unless and until Pakistan gives evidence that it will take action against those creating trouble against India from Pakistani soil. The foreign minister has made it very clear that no official talks were held and that it's simply a courtesy, protocol meeting."
Over a lavish spread of Rajasthani delicacies, the two discussed poetry and sufism. Ashraf invoked Urdu poet Iqbal and talked about love between the people of the two countries; Khurshid held forth on how the Ajmer shrine attracts people of all faith.
Ashraf offered no explanation on his government's inaction on the issue of terrorism, and Khurshid didn't raise the issue of killing of Indian soldiers.
The minister explained the vacuous nature of the interaction, "This was a private visit, a pilgrimage. This was not the occasion, nor did I have the authority to discuss such issues."
The lunch, he stressed, was a matter of courtesy. The government, too, insisted it was only following protocol. "In accordance with normal diplomatic protocol, we are extending him due courtesies," a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official said.
The protocol would have been satisfied without Khurshid's presence. Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa was on a private visit to Bodh Gaya last month and he was received by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
"We have had cases in the past when visiting PMs and presidents have gone to places outside Delhi. A minister didn't go from Delhi; it is only when you want to make a special gesture that this is done," the official told Mail Today.
Clik here to view.
Symbolism may well be the sole working theme of the troubled Indo-Pak peace process, but even that seemed lost on external affairs minister Salman Khurshid on Saturday.Khurshid disregarded rumblings from within his own government as well as inflamed public opinion as he hosted a sumptuous lunch for visiting Pakistan Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and his 50-member entourage at Jaipur's Rambagh Palace hotel.
Ashraf flew into Jaipur in a Pakistan Air Force plane on his way to the sufi shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer. It was a private visit, but the welcome extended by Khurshid, a key member of the Cabinet Committee on Security, to Ashraf raised eyebrows all around.
The brutal killing of two Indian soldiers along the Line of Control on January 8 is still a fresh memory; the family of one of the soldiers who was beheaded wants Pakistan to return the head.
On Friday, PM Manmohan Singh told Parliament that ties with Pakistan could not be normalised until "the terror machine still active there was brought under control".
Khurshid was, however, unstoppable. He flew to Jaipur in an Indian Air Force Embraer jet to host a lunch for Ashraf.
While most Congress leaders preferred to stay silent, CWC member Shakeel Ahmed said, "It is a normal, minimum courtesy extended to a visiting head of government. The PM has made it clear that official talks will not be held unless and until Pakistan gives evidence that it will take action against those creating trouble against India from Pakistani soil. The foreign minister has made it very clear that no official talks were held and that it's simply a courtesy, protocol meeting."
Over a lavish spread of Rajasthani delicacies, the two discussed poetry and sufism. Ashraf invoked Urdu poet Iqbal and talked about love between the people of the two countries; Khurshid held forth on how the Ajmer shrine attracts people of all faith.
Ashraf offered no explanation on his government's inaction on the issue of terrorism, and Khurshid didn't raise the issue of killing of Indian soldiers.
The minister explained the vacuous nature of the interaction, "This was a private visit, a pilgrimage. This was not the occasion, nor did I have the authority to discuss such issues."
The lunch, he stressed, was a matter of courtesy. The government, too, insisted it was only following protocol. "In accordance with normal diplomatic protocol, we are extending him due courtesies," a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official said.
The protocol would have been satisfied without Khurshid's presence. Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa was on a private visit to Bodh Gaya last month and he was received by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
"We have had cases in the past when visiting PMs and presidents have gone to places outside Delhi. A minister didn't go from Delhi; it is only when you want to make a special gesture that this is done," the official told Mail Today.
