Syed Akbaruddin, India’s UN envoy to Pak media is not only famed for his expertise in diplomacy but for his keen sense of humour too. His wit and wisdom reflected at the news conference held at the UN that discussed Pakistan’s concern over revoking of Article 370 in Kashmir.
During the news conference, when he asked Pak journalists to ‘shoot’ their questions, one among the journalists asked when India would begin a dialogue with Pakistan. To everyone’s surprise, amidst the laughter, Syed Akbaruddin stepped away from the podium and walked up to the senior Pakistani journalist who asked the question.
“So let me begin by coming across to you,” Akbaruddin told him. “Give me your hand.” “Let me tell you we have already extended our hand of friendship by saying we are committed to the Simla agreement,” he said. “Let us wait for a response on that from the Pakistani side,” he said with a pause. Akbaruddin was literally disarming the ‘aggressive’ journalists with his openness, informality and humour.
For Akbaruddin, who had earlier been the External Affairs Ministry spokesperson and also Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s spokesperson on his foreign travels, this was his first encounter with the journalists at the UN.
#WATCH: Syed Akbaruddin, India’s Ambassador to UN says,"so, let me start by coming across to you and shaking hands. All three of you," to a Pakistani journalist when asked,"when will you begin a dialogue with Pakistan?" pic.twitter.com/0s06XAaasl
— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2019
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