US-Pak Relations Mango Diplomacy

Since the Raymond David episode and killing of Osama Bin Laden, relations between US and Pakistan have gone from bad to worse. The strategic dialogue which saw a few meetings between the top officials of the two countries during the last couple of years has been stalled. Under the dialogue both countries had taken initiatives to cooperate in ten sectors including agriculture. Late special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke had taken special interest in import of Pakistani mangoes. The efforts have seen a positive outcome and for the first time Pakistani mangoes have been imported in US. Pakistani embassy in the US held a festival in Chicago to introduce the fruit to the Americans. Pakistani American, Dr Zafar Bokhari, professor of marketing and business at Chicago State University, says its a positive initiative for relations between the two countries. Pakistan's consul general in Chicago Asad Hayauddin says the trade will benefit the farmers.