http://www.telegraph.co.uk
Hina Rabbani Khar, Pakistan's new foreign minister, secured a diplomatic breakthrough in New Delhi after sweeping India off its feet and into a "new era" of trade and co-operation in the war on terrorism.
Ms Khar, who at 34 became Pakistan's youngest and first female foreign minister earlier this month, emerged from talks with her Indian counterpart S.M Krishna, who at 79 is old enough to be her grandfather, with a series of agreements to boost security, trade, travel, sporting and cultural links between the nuclear rivals.
Politicians and commentators said her youth and glamour had been a factor in creating a "fresh start atmosphere" which led to the most productive talks since the neighbouring enemies came close to war following the 2008 terrorist attacks on Mumbai.
Ms Khar, a mother of two and former hospitality manager, was welcomed to India with unprecedented gushing headlines and flattering photographs praising her style and looks.
The Times of India published a front page photograph of Ms Khar wearing a royal blue kurta and a string of gleaming pearls, under the headline: "Pak puts on its best face." The Hindi language Navbharat Times said India was "sweating over model-like minister" while the Mail Today declared she had brought a "Glam touch to Indo-Pak talks."
It compared her to Michelle Obama and gave "full marks" for her Roberto Cavalli sunglasses, oversized Hermes Birkin bag and classic pearHer appearance appeared to vindicate Pakistan President Asif Zardari's decision to nominate her as foreign minister in the hope that it would "send positive signals about the soft image of Pakistan."
Her own comments on a "mindset change" and a "new era in bilateral co-operation between the countries" reflected the same theme.
"A new generation of Indians and Pakistanis will see a relationship that will hopefully be much different from the one that has been experienced in the last two decades," she said.
India and Pakistan have fought four wars and they came close to a fifth in the months following the 2008 Mumbai attacks when Pakistani commando-style militants killed 166 in a three day rampage. Manmohan Singh, India's prime minister, later accused elements of Pakistan's security forces of supporting the terrorists. Since then tensions have flared over Pakistan's failure to convict the terrorist masterminds or to rein in militant leaders calling for 'jihad' against India.
The talks did not produce a breakthrough on Kashmir, but agreed a series of confidence-building measures to double trade over the Line of Control, relax controls on travel, and increase sporting and cultural ties.
They agreed to strengthen co-operation against terrorism and "reiterated the firm and undiluted commitment of the two countries to fight and eliminate this scourge in all its forms and manifestations." They would also co-operate to "bring those responsible for terror crimes to justice."
The ministers also agreed to convene a meeting of each country's nuclear experts to reduce tensions and to resolve their disputes over control of the Siachen glacier and the Sir Creek.
Mirwaiz Farooq, the moderate Kashmiri Separatist leader who met Ms Khar in New Delhi ahead of the talks, said he was disappointed there was no time frame for the new talks on the Kashmir, but welcomed the role Ms Khar had played.
"Here's a minister from Pakistan, young, educated, articulate and she brings something fresh to the table," he said.
Seema Goswami, a leading Indian social commentator, however said she feared Ms Khar's style and glamour could put India at a disadvantage.
"She's incredibly young pretty, glamorous and has no fear of appearing flash. She wore pearls when she arrived and diamonds for the talks," she said. "We're so obsessed with her designer bag and clothes that we forget she first held talks with the Hurriyat [Kashmiri separatists]. She could be Pakistan's new weapon of mass destruction."l jewellery. "Who says politicians can't be chic?" it asked.
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