Chemistry sizzles as Indian, Pakistani ministers meet
Apr 19, 2007 - 6:58:33 PM
|
|
|
The Pakistani minister has been in the eye of a storm after a fatwa was issued against her earlier this month for hugging her para-jumping instructor in France.
|
By IANS,
[RxPG] New Delhi, April 19 - From all accounts, the tourism ministers of India and Pakistan got along like a house on fire at an informal meeting here Thursday.
Pakistani Tourism Minister Nilofer Bakthiar, who is on a private visit here, called on her Indian counterpart Ambika Soni at her office here for a meeting that lasted for over 40 minutes.
'She was very forthcoming, very warm,' Soni told reporters after the meeting.
'They got along extremely well and discussed a variety of issues which I am not at liberty to discuss since this was a private meeting,' an official said.
The two ministers might not be old friends but they have frequently interacted in the past.
'We have spoken on the phone a couple of times and we met at Berlin -. She took the initiative to call on me. I think it's nice to meet and exchange ideas,' Soni added.
Earlier, when Bakthiar arrived at Soni's office, she seemed overwhelmed at the large number of print and TV journalists who were on hand to record the moment.
'I was the - party spokesperson before I became a minister. Over the years, we have developed an informal relationship. Some of them are on a first name basis,' Soni explained.
'Thank you very much -,' Bakthiar beamed as she emerged from the meeting.
The Pakistani minister has been in the eye of a storm after a fatwa was issued against her earlier this month for hugging her para-jumping instructor in France.
Bakthiar brushed away the edict, saying it neither worried her nor did she fear for her life. Reports say the fatwa was withdrawn after Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf personally intervened.
|
Subscribe to India Travel Newsletter
|
|
E-mail Address:
|
|
Feedback
|
For any corrections of factual information, to contact the editors or to send
any medical news or health news press releases, use
feedback form
|
Top of Page
|
