Akbaruddin Shakes Hands With Pak Journos, Wins Twitter Applause

Syed Akbaruddin was at his diplomatic best when a Pakistani journalist posed question on Kashmir at the UNSC meet.

File photo of India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Syed Akbaruddin.

(Photo: PTI)

India's permanent representative to the United Nations, Syed Akbaruddin won hearts with his diplomacy with Pakistani journalists at the press conference after the closed UN Security Council meeting on Kashmir which was held in New York.

He was at his diplomatic best when a Pakistani journalist posed question on the abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir asked him "when will you begin a dialogue with Pakistan”. Akbaruddin responded with, “So let me begin by coming across to you and shaking your hand.” Then he walked up to the three Pakistani journalists present at the meet and shook hands with them.

He then said, “So let me tell you we have already extended our hand of friendship by saying we are committed to the Simla agreement. Let us wait for a response on that from the Pakistani side.”

And Twitter can’t stop talking about his gesture.

China and Pakistan's permanent representatives Zhang Jun and Maleeha Lodhi who also attended the meeting did not take questions from the reporters. Unlike them Syed Akbaruddin took questions from the media.

He said, "I am ready if any of you are willing to ask any questions. I will take them." And then he took the first three questions from Pakistani journalists.