Salman Khurshid

Jaipur, March 9: The Sufi saint and the power in his blessings scored over luncheon diplomacy between Pakistan Premier Raja Pervez Ashraf and external affairs minister Salman Khurshid here today.

Khurshid, while welcoming the Pakistani Premier at the 1835-built pristine and majestic Rambagh Palace, said: “When Khwaja wants you to come, then everything works for you to be able to come here.”

Khurshid’s warm welcome comes at a time when relations between the two countries are strained following the brutal beheadings of two Indian soldiers on the border and protests by various outfits across the country.

Incidentally, the two dignitaries shook hands on the terrace outside the China Room, where the hotel guests usually read, play indoor games and spend their leisurely time.

The Rambagh Palace set on 47 acres of greenery, where peacocks often perch themselves, seem completely removed from the hustle and bustle of the city outside.

Almost echoing the mood of the palace, diplomacy took a back seat at the lunch, while religion and Khwaja’s calling became the talking point.

A 40-member Pakistan team, including Ashraf’s relatives, andPakistan High Commission officials arrived here around 12.30pm in a fleet of white and black cars and a small bus. They were given a typical Rajasthani welcome, with bedecked elephants, camels, horses and folk dancers.

The Pakistan Prime Minister was received by Rajasthan government officials at the airport.

A goof-up and a missed photo opportunity by the only Pakistani press present — PTV — during the colourful welcome at the gates of the hotel, left the Pakistani officials annoyed over the arrangements.

Ashraf was later filmed by the channel walking down the impressive marbled corridors of the heritage hotel.

Ashraf, wearing a black bandgala sherwani and a white pyjama, had lunch at Suvarna Mahal, the hotel’s grand dining hall with high ceilings, gilded mirrors and Florentine frescoes and silver cutlery, accompanied with the a lilting melody of classical music.

The exotic lunch spread was a typically Rajasthani fare, starting with appetizers such as tamatar and dhania shorba, exotic dishes including lalmaas, dhundhar murg, dungar paneer, ker sangri, dal banjari along with khushkha rice, naan, tandoor roti and ending with deserts like rabri, malpua and malai kulfi.

During lunch, which went on for more than an hour, the two sides is said to have discussed Sufism, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti and religion.

After lunch while talking to reporters, Khurshid said even though the Pakistan Prime Minister was on a private visit, “we extended the courtesy of a state guest to him, looking at his position. We only extended him good wishes for his ziyarat. This was not the occasion nor did I have the authority to discuss important issues. The talk at the lunch was all about ziyarat, the Sufi tradition and about the importance of Ajmer. There was no talk about LOC killings and terror”.

He added: “We have taken up such issues. We will do it in future. Today it was a private visit. There was no official talk. We will do it at an appropriate time.”

He said the Pakistani Prime Minister has come on a pilgrimage and everything was being done in accordance with the purpose of the visit. We agreed for his programme and everything was done in this backdrop.'

Reacting to the question of BJP protesting the decision to extend him the privilege of being a state guest, Khurshid said: “They should look at their own history and they would know why.”

In Ajmer, the Pakistani Prime Minister could perform his ziyarat helped on by Khadim Haji Bilal Chishti.

Chishti said Ashraf offered a 42sqm chadaar at the dargah and prayed for peace in Pakistan, his family and in the Islamic world.

However, the police lathicharged protesters belonging to the Ajmer Bar Association, BJP, VHP and Shiv Sena, which left two injured.