Track-II diplomats

There is one big positive amid several doubts as India and Pakistan look to hold Foreign Secretary-level talks soon. Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir enjoy a healthy personal rapport thanks to their Beijing connection. Both officials were ambassadors to China before being made foreign secretaries of their respective countries. The two did get to know each other well enough during their stint in Beijing and have informally exchanged notes on the future of the bilateral relationship even after the frost set in following the 26/11 attacks. No wonder all Rao had to do was to pick up the phone and set the ball rolling.