Angry in the Great White North

Domestic politics with international implications -- The Times of India, reports on, and mocks, Pakistan on the reaction to the appointment of Wajid Khan:

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's move to appoint Wajid Khan, a Canadian of Pakistani origin, as his special adviser for South Asia has excited Pakistanis who think they have scored a diplomatic point against India.

Before migrating to Canada, Khan was with the Pakistan Air Force for eight years during which he was taken a prisoner of war during the 1971 India-Pakistan war, the News International newspaper said Sunday.

"India appears non-pulsed [sic, probably meant 'nonplussed', meaning bewildered] at the announcement of Khan," the newspaper said, adding that the Indian Ministry of External Affairs is "provoked" by Khan's public statement that he wanted to broker peace between India and Pakistan.

Unfortunately, I can't find the original story from The News - International being quoted here. Still, Wajid Khan did say he wanted Canada to play a role in forging a peace:

It would be positive "if Canada could play a significant role in getting the peace talks between India and Pakistan on track. Just getting the two countries back around the table would be good — and that involves Afghanistan."

Not Khan personally, but Canada. Still, can't blame The News - International for pumping up the story a bit. The paper is clearly proud of Pakistan's native son.

Just how nonplussed India was, and just how much Pakistan wished it to be true, is a matter of interpretation. But the appointment was noticed. Who knows where that can lead?

You have to give Stephen Harper credit. He seems to have made more of a splash on the international scene in six months than a dozen years of previous Liberal governments.