Virendra Pandit
New Delhi: Instead of putting its chaotic house to order, Pakistan tried to enter the hearts of over 32 old and new friendly nations through their stomachs: most of them returned the seasonal gifts of mangoes Islamabad sent them!
The United States, China, and several other countries have declined to accept mangoes that Pakistan had dispatched to heads of over 32 countries as part of its “mango diplomacy” initiative, media reported.
Islamabad did not realize that gifting seasonal fruits like mangoes is only a South Asian tradition that other nations are unaware of. What these countries are aware of is, however, the fact some terrorist gangs had killed people by gifting them bombs wrapped as ‘mangoes’.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) on Wednesday dispatched boxes of the summer fruit but many countries declined to accept the souvenir, citing their coronavirus quarantine regulations.
Apart from the US and China, the other countries that declined the perishable gift included Canada, Nepal, Egypt, and Sri Lanka. Islamabad had also listed French President Emmanuel Macron among the recipients, but Paris did not respond to Pakistan’s intent, in view of its relentless criticism of the European nation in recent months.
Boxes of mangoes will also go to Iran, the Gulf countries, Turkey, United Kingdom, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Russia.
The Chausa variety of mangoes was dispatched to the heads of state/government of over 32 countries on behalf of Pakistan President Dr. Arif Alvi, according to a report in The News International.
Previously, mango varieties Anwar Rattol and Sindhari were also part of the consignments but the two have been dropped this time.