"How hard is it to be the Pakistan ambassador to the U.S.?" asked Michael Krepon, diplomat scholar of the Office of the Vice President and Provost, in his introduction of Mahmud Ali Durrani, Pakistan's ambassador to the United States.
Durrani "is a problem-solver and there's a very big problem today having to deal with the Pakistan-Afghan border," Krepon said.
In addition to addressing the problem of militants crossing the Pakistani-Afghan border, Durrani also deals with Pakistan's dispute with India.
"You need to have vision and [Durrani] has been very centric in moving India and Pakistan to within shouting distance of being in peace ... [peace is] close and our speaker has been a part of that," Krepon said.
Durrani addressed his role as ambassador and shared ideas about the current problems facing his country and how they relate to the world, particularly within the realm of United States-Pakistan relations Tuesday. The program was hosted by the Ambassador Lecture Series.
United States and Pakistan
"The relationship [between the United States and Pakistan] is critical," Durrani said in an interview Tuesday. "The United States can play a useful role [in conflict between India and Pakistan] and be very helpful. They aren't being [very helpful], but they could be."
Durrani spoke at length about Pakistan and the United States' on-and-off-again alliance through the years.
"Pakistan has been a steadfast ally to the U.S. in almost every major [conflict]," he said.
There have been disagreements between the two countries, however. Durrani gave an example, citing an instance when India's nuclear tests and rhetoric gave Pakistan "no choice" but to test its own nuclear weapons, hurting relations with the United States. Relations improved, though, when Pakistan joined the war on global terrorism.
"We have to develop a relationship that can survive the irritancy of the day [because] I see bad weather ahead," Durrani said.
Durrani discussed areas of collaboration between the United States and Pakistan such as education, science and technology and trade. He named the two countries' security relationship as the "centerpiece" of their relationship.
Though some Americans criticize Pakistan for not doing enough to fight terrorism, "Pakistan is playing a critical role in the fight against the Taliban and al-Qaeda," Durrani said, citing the hundreds of Pakistani casualties to emphasize his point.
"Unfortunately, now Pakistan is a victim of its own success, as the U.S. pushes for more," he said, comparing the United States to a pessimist who always sees the glass as half-empty.
One subject of American criticism is Pakistan's inability to halt the transport of terrorists over its border with Afghanistan.
Durrani said this problem occurs not because of Pakistan, but "in spite of us."
Watching a border that more than 200,000 people cross daily is a difficult task, he said.
Durrani said this criticism does not foster a proper relationship between the countries.
An ideal relationship "requires mutual trust and confidence ... [We should] avoid public reproach of each other," Durrani said. "Not to say we should not talk frankly ... we should talk ... man-to-man."
The United States and Pakistan must improve their dialogue or their coordination will be limited, Durrani said, adding that in the 1980s, it was the coordination of Pakistan and the United States that helped oust the Soviets from Afghanistan.
Compared to the Soviets, "al-Qaeda is a far lesser problem," he said.
The key in obtaining the same coordination will be talking to one another, Durrani said.
"You need to understand your allies," he said.
He emphasized that both Pakistan and the United States have similar "shared values and common interests ... liberty, equality and freedom."
Pakistan's Changes
Durrani also discussed concerns exclusively dealing with his own country.
"Terrorism and extremism is a much bigger problem for us than for [Americans]," Durrani said.
Pakistan wants Afghanistan to be Taliban-free so it can serve as a trade hub between the Middle East and Asia; this, however, "can never happen unless Afghanistan is stable," he said.
He did point out some improvements in his country though, including economic gains. Durrani cited his hometown as an example, noting that he knew of only one car in his town while growing up, yet today, "no one walks."
Though Pakistan has experienced many positive developments, Durrani listed other issues that need improvement.
"We still have problems [with democracy]," he said. "We have a long way to go to reach [the United States'] level of democracy ... [but] we're moving in the right direction, so pray for us."
Other problems Durrani noted were Pakistan's systems of justice, law, governance and the nation's sense of direction. He pointed out, however, that Pakistan has made progress in cooperating with other nations.
"We have decided we want to move in a direction ... in harmony with everyone else" while staying true to Pakistan's traditions, Durrani said.
Pakistan was recently able to reach some harmony with India after a train bombing Feb. 19. Usually such attacks are blamed on militants from divided Kashmir and assisted by Pakistani intelligence, but this attack prompted India and Pakistan to collaborate.
It was the "first time we've worked together" on the issue Durrani said.
He said neither country will be affected by these activities.
"Our strategic direction is right -- we are talking," Durrani said.
Life as ambassador
Leigh Grossman, vice provost of International Affairs, explained the purpose of the Ambassador Lecture Series is not only "to share their practical experience in international affairs;" the program is also meant to encourage University students interest in world politics and diplomacy.
In an interview, Durrani elaborated on how he became the Pakistani diplomat to the United States, which he called "the most important position for a Pakistani."
At college in Pakistan, Durrani said he studied history and economics before entering the military. From there, he became a diplomat by "accident."
As a military attaché and later as a secretary to a former Pakistani president, he lived in Washington, D.C.
Living in that "international community was my first drop into diplomacy," he said.
After retiring from the military, he said he worked as a scholar specializing in relations between Pakistan, the U.S and India."
Students attending the speech had varying opinions about the ambassador.
Fourth-year College student Saahil Nanavati said he felt Durrani was defending Pakistan.
"He's an ambassador so he's not going to say what he thinks," Nanavati said. "He has to play politics."
Zara Haq, fourth-year College student and vice president of the Pakistan Students' League, commented about the ambassador's interest in Pakistani-American students at the University.
"He wanted to know about our experiences living here as Pakistani-Americans ... [to alleviate] misconceptions," she said.
Haq also attended a student lunch with the ambassador.
"He was really open to our suggestions ... [even] taking notes during the lunch," Haq said.
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