Dear Robin,
Yes, she is better than any foreign minister we have had in the past. She has qualities and qualifications we could not have dreamt of in a foreign minister just a year ago. For sure any gender bias against her is unjustifiable. And by any measure she deserves a honeymoon period. We cannot expect her to perform as required from day one.
But its nine months into the job and the honeymoon period will come to an end soon enough. And, based on the evidence I have seen, even the most gallant independent will find it hard to defend her.
The country requires a strong foreign minister to deal with a host of pressing issues. The best thinkers within her own party - whoever they may be - already realise that 'perceptions' of our foreign policy are critical to any assesment of this government's success.
The country needs her to stand up and strongly engage public opinion - and lead public opinion. Being well educated abroad, being politically loyal, being comfortable with English and being an extremely charming person are notable characteristics in our current foreign minister. We can rightly congratulate ourselves based on what have seen in our past foreign ministers. But we should remember to compare these characteristics to the characteristics that define the foreign ministers of other South Asian countries.
Lets keep it simple. Pinak could eat Dipu for breakfast. And half of all our MPs too...
We remain gallant towards Dipu Moni and are grateful for the charm she has brought to the role. Few of us may match her intellect or her insight. But she needs to rise to the challenges of foreign policy both inside and outside the country in a manner that demonstrates leadership and strength on the issues that face us.
She should transform soon into the Dhadhi of our foreign policy - not remain its sweet Bhabi.
Ezajur Rahman
Kuwait
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