Obama Singh.

Love, something I don't know about at all .....but it does have a feature that is truly amazing. And that is its ability to make one fall for countless objects in one's life. These days I have developed a thing for the smooth and eloquent adresses delivered by many a diplomats and leaders.

Holbroke, Hilary Clinton and our very own Foriegn Minister Qureshi all possess this quality. As they say ...there is always something to learn from every one.

It was interesting to see Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh , who is by the way a doctor....speak at the formal welcome given to him by the handsome and very tanned President Obama of the United States. (Italian leader Silvio Berlesconi known for his humour termed Obama so). Dr. Singh gave very interesting pauses each time he said " Me and my wife..." in his address. I guess that's nice material for the witty to come up with some Sardar Ji jokes.

Both leaders gave eloquent enough speeches...loaded with heavy duty classical rhetoric. Civilian Nuclear Energy Deal, Climate Change, a greener environment, Education initiative which will be called Singh Obama or Obama Singh initiative and high tech exports to India are just some of the issues that were seen talked about in their addresses. Surprisingly they totally steered clear of Terrorism and peace and stability in South Asia.

But my moment of surprise was momentary because the first Indian journalist when given a chance by Dr. Singh, came up with the typical Indian insecurity that they feel ever since the creation of Pakistan....She asked if Obama administration was doing anything about the miliatry aid that Pakistan receives from US and then terrorises India with it!

In reply to the simplistic question ..I was surprised again to find Mr. Obama point out the successes that the Pakistan Miliatry was achieving in South Waziristan and Swat and clearly hinted at aid continuing for Pakistan but directed towards improving the social indicators.

Thats an altogether a different issue and opinion that if the national money plundered by NRO beneficiaries could be brought back, there wouldn't be any need for Kerry Lugar aid bill.

I don't know and probably will never find out if Mr. Obama gave a piece of his mind to Dr. Singh on India's activities in Afghanistan! but he did say that India had made significant contributions to Afghanistan.

Analysts in our country are of the view that U.S could use its leverage in the region to get Pakistan's concerns across to Indians. This visit coming around the anniversary of Mumbai attacks was just the right time to do that.And that was slightly reflected in Mr. Obama's response to the journalist and in the expression on Dr. Singh's other wise poker face.

After all the entire globe could benefit if Pakistan and India went hand in hand.