Late on Wednesday afternoon US President-elect Donald Trump had a phone call with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.<\/p>\n
According to a Pakistani account of what should probably have been a procedural discussion, Mr Trump lavished extravagant praise upon Pakistan’s prime minister and its people.<\/p>\n
“You have a very good reputation. You are a terrific guy,” it goes. In addition, Pakistan is “a fantastic country, fantastic place” with the most “intelligent” people and “your country is amazing with tremendous opportunities”.<\/p>\n
Not satisfied with that, the account, commonly known as read-outs, culminates with this flourish: “Please convey to the Pakistani people that they are amazing and all Pakistanis I have known are exceptional people, said Mr Donald Trump.”<\/p>\n
It is unclear to what extent these are direct quotes, but there was much bemusement both in mainstream and social media.<\/p>\n
Then the US released its account of the call<\/p>\n
Hours later, the Trump team released a statement which, if brief, emphasised the pleasantries generally found in these exchanges.<\/p>\n
Describing it as a “productive conversation”, the two discussed how they would achieve “a strong working relationship in the future”, the US-statement said.<\/p>\n
“President-elect Trump also noted that he is looking forward to a lasting and strong personal relationship with Prime Minister Sharif.”<\/p>\n
But the effusive praise detailed by the Pakistanis did not go unnoticed.<\/p>\n
What might India say?<\/p>\n
Many pointed out that India may have something to say about the president-elect’s apparent delight at the invitation to visit Pakistan – “a fantastic country, fantastic place, of fantastic people” – when no US president has been since 2006 and there is a delicate diplomatic tightrope to be negotiated.<\/p>\n
It it not yet clear if Delhi has any view at all. Following a number of cross-border attacks, relations between the neighbours are at their lowest point in years. And the tone of the exchange certainly contradicts a Trump view in 2011.<\/p>\n
But while Mr Trump was criticised by some as naive for being fulsome in his praise of the leader of a country that has been accused of backing militants, many more just saw the funny side.<\/p>\n
One of the stars of TV series Silicon Valley, where he plays a Pakistani character, had this to say…<\/p>\n
The two did not apparently discuss Mr Trump’s campaign promise to enact a “total and complete” shutdown of Muslims coming to America, later downgraded to “extreme vetting”. The overwhelming majority of Pakistanis, including the prime minister, are Muslim.<\/p>\n
For now, the two former businessmen stuck to warm words.<\/p>\n
And just in case there was any doubt: “All Pakistanis I have known are exceptional people,” was Mr Trump’s view in the words of Pakistan.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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