Ashok Ogra

ashokogra@gmail.com

“Flattery will get you everywhere.” This line, attributed to the actress Mae West, came to one’s mind, when watching Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s lavish praise on the US President Donald Trump at the just concluded summit on Gaza at Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

In a clever move,President Trump prompted Shehbaz Sharif to speak-perhaps knowing that other leaders would be hesitant to indulge in flattery. True to form, Sharif readily obliged, calling Trump a “man of peace” and even recommending him for the Nobel Peace Prize- second time.

It is possible the Pakistan PM was taking a leaf from NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s realization that appealing to Trump’s ego could yield results.

The reputed US newsmagazine TIME aptly captures this approach: P

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