Birkin

Hina Rabbani Khar

Hina Rabbani Khar made up for all Pakistani ministers in the past. Quite apart from that winning smile, which has had India tied up in knots since she touched down on Tuesday, the Pakistani foreign minister proved to be a spot-the-brand delight for the fash frat on this side of the border.

Her oversized Hermes black Birkin bag was among the top trending items on Twitter on Wednesday as India's Khar-ites contemplated the purported Rs 17-lakh price tag. She alighted on Tuesday in a blue tunic-pants ensemble teamed up with pricey South Sea pearls glistening at her neck and ears andRoberto Cavalli shades covering half her face.

On Wednesday, the colours were more muted - an off-white ensemble set 34-year-old Khar off to advantage against 78-year-old S M Krishna's mauve tie and blue suit. A diamond ring on her left hand was missing on Wednesday.

The open-toed sandals were the only exception to the covered-up look the debutante minister maintained throughout her visit. Her chosen colour on Tuesday evening was a royal blue, which led several Pakistani 'tweeple' to gush, "She's better looking than the new Duchess of Cambridge. So there, world".

For dinner on Wednesday, Hina chose a green ensemble.

She apparently loves her Birkins, which can cost as much as $100,000.

Hina belongs to one of Pakistan's landed elite, is enormously wealthy, and owns Polo Lounge, an upscale restaurant in Lahore. In 2010, though, she - along with 25 other ministers of Yousaf Gilani's cabinet - didn't pay income tax. Over the past few years, she has paid agriculture tax of (Pakistani) Rs 7,500 but nothing under the head of income tax.

Sources said her social graces left little to be desired. She was properly complimentary about the tandoori prawn, pathar kabab and biryani that made up lunch at Hyderabad House.

Having boned up on Krishna's weakness for tennis, Khar was overheard telling him how she met Rohan Bopanna, who teams up with Pakistani Aisam Qureshi, and made a pitch for resumption of cricketing ties.