Of our UN ambassador’s ‘affable’ friendliness

In the large population of diplomats at the United Nations, ambassadors are usually known by the country they represent, but Pakistan’s Abdullah Hussain Haroon is mostly known by the company he keeps – the Indian ambassador.
So well known is his close ties to Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri that he is invariably identified in diplomatic circles as “Hardeep’s friend” – less as Pakistan’s envoy.
Often called “inseparable twins”, the two are often seen walking the carpeted corridors of the United Nations, engaged in conversations in conference rooms and enjoying parties around the huge city. Sometimes, the two even drive to events together. But it is Hussain Haroon who makes it a point to show his affection for his friend.
A professional diplomat, Hardeep has rarely, if ever, reciprocated, at least publicly. Almost at every event, Haroon speaks about his friendship with Hardeep – sometimes even out of context. At a recent event at the UN General Assembly hall, Haroon mentioned Hardeep three times without any reciprocity on part of the Indian envoy when it was his turn to speak.
There is no doubt that Haroon, an ardent advocate of good relations with India, is popular among UN diplomats. He has excellent relations with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. A gracious host, the affable Haroon has a presence, but he is known more for the lavish parties he throws than for his diplomatic skills.
A friend of President Asif Ali Zardari, he has no previous diplomatic experience, nor has he ever held a regular job. No one doubts his patriotism, but some of his actions do not sit well with his colleagues at the Mission or by Pakistani community members.
For instance, Haroon was late at the Pakistan Day reception that he hosted on March 22, something most diplomats and members of the Pakistani community noticed. And he left the Pakistan House long before the reception was over – in company with his Indian friend.
The very next day – March 23 – Haroon left for Pakistan and returned to New York in the first week of May. Although he is known for his long absences from New York even during the General Assembly sessions, it is quite a different matter this time around. Since January 1, Pakistan is a non-permanent member of the Security Council and he is expected to lead the Pakistan delegation during its two-year tenure on the world body’s power centre. So far he has attended just a few council meetings.
A couple of days after his return to New York, Haroon shared the stage with Hardeep Singh, the Indian ambassador, at an event sponsored by Mastercard Worldwide’s Indian-born President and CEO Ajay Banga. The two ambassadors lauded efforts being made by their nations to normalize trade relations.
While Haedeep Singh called the development a “game-changer”, Haroon said the two countries should not “burn their energies in hate”. They spoke on the potential of such trade ties for the two countries and the South Asian region.
Haroon was effusive. Pakistan, he said, had intended to have a deep relationship with India but “something went wrong somewhere”.
“There were meant to be open borders, open trade and intermixing of people. We believe in Pakistan that perhaps a lot of what we might have lost over time could return with the opening of this relationship,” he said.
While most Pakistanis advocate normalization of Indo-Pak relations, they feel Haroon ought to limit his boisterous enthusiasm for it.