Trump says US has developed 'much better' relations with Pakistan recently
US President Donald Trump said on Friday that the United States has developed a “much better” relationship recently with Pakistan, which has long been at odds with the United States over the war in Afghanistan.
Trump, speaking at a White House event on trade negotiations with China, noted that relations had improved over the “last short period of time” and added that the United States may set up some meetings with Pakistan.
US envoys say Pakistan has an important role to play in the Afghan peace talks.
Taliban representatives are due to meet US special peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad in Qatar on February 25 in the next round of talks. The Taliban has refused to allow the participation of the Afghan government, which it regards as a US puppet.
It would be wonderful if Pakistan, India got along: Trump
Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry summoned the Pakistani ambassador on Wednesday over remarks that Afghan peace talks could be affected if India resorted to violence after last week’s deadly attack on Indian paramilitary police in the Occupied Kashmir, for which banned militant outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) reportedly claimed responsibility.
Trump fires off a new tirade at Pakistan
The Taliban had earlier announced that its team would meet US negotiators this week in Islamabad. The meetings did not take place for reasons that remain unclear.
India-Pakistan standoff ‘very dangerous’
Trump also voiced alarm on Friday at the “very dangerous situation” between India and Pakistan following the deadly attack against Indian forces in Occupied Kashmir.
“It’s very dangerous situation between the two countries,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
“Right now there are a lot of problems between India and Pakistan because of what happened,” he said.
Earlier this week, the US President expressed hope for Pakistan and India to get along with each other.
