“Was that the US response to our formal request?”
“I don’t think US has responded yet?”
“What?”
“The Finance Minister formally confirmed that we have asked for a 10 billion dollar from the US….”
“Nope that’s not what I was referring to. See the Foreign Office issued a formal demarche to the US Charge d’ Affaires for a statement by the US Ambassador to India referring to Jammu and Kashmir as an integral part of India…”
“Well an Ambassador trumps a Charge d’ Affaires right so….”
“Right but our military and civilian leadership have a direct dial with President Trump so…..”
“Reports suggest that the direct line does not extend to our Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.”
“That’s true, but my query was, is the statement by the US Ambassador to India a response to our request and I was not referring to the request to give us 10 billion dollars so there.”
“Oh, is it to do with an exemption to us with respect to trade with Iran given that President Trump announced punitive tariffs on third party countries – or all those who continue to trade with Iran and….”
“Well China already instructed its companies dealing with Russia to disregard the third party sanctions after the US announced the package against Russia so…”
“Don’t get side tracked. I heard from a well informed source….”
“How well informed?”
“Enough not to want their name associated with what I am going to tell you. Anyway he claimed that a formal request for Nawaz Sharif’s appointment as the President of the World Bank, with the request that he be allowed to create a deputy position….”
“That was purely a facetious suggestion that you made because that position can only go to a US national….”
“Oh I didn’t know that.”
“The erstwhile powerful countries distributed the top positions in multilaterals amongst themselves but the United Nations head….”
“Ah that’s even more prestigious.”
“And this would be the first time South Asian…..”
“Yep and for success would the power that be, submitted the proposal directly to the US President instead of…..?”
“Gotcha and perhaps change the name of constitution avenue to perhaps Trump….”
“Not a bad call.”
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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