State Department HQ in Washington Photo : AgnosticPreachersKid /Wikimedia Commons
U.S. and Pakistani diplomats are expected to hold discussions later this week following President Donald Trump’s announcement of a new Afghan war and South Asia policy.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had invited Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif to visit Washington last week when the American diplomat had a telephonic conversation with the newly inducted Pakistani minister.
Islamabad has not so far reacted to President Trump’s criticism of the country including the allegation that it gives safe haven to the Afghan militants on its soil.
On Tuesday, U.S. ambassador David Hale met with Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif in Islamabad and hoped that a high level meeting between Pakistan and United States may take place in next few days.
Ambassador Hale briefed the foreign minister about President Trump’s latest statement on the US policy review on South Asia and Afghanistan, the Foreign Office in Islamabad said.
According to the Foreign Office, Hale conveyed that US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson looked forward to meeting Khawaja Muhammad Asif in the next few days to have an in-depth discussion on the state of play in the bilateral relationship as well as the new US policy on South Asia.
“The foreign minister reiterated Pakistan’s perspective and desire for peace and stability in Afghanistan,” the statement said.
The statement does not refer to any direct comment on President Trump’s remarks – which analysts say are a strong criticism of the South Asian countryand acknowledgement of India’s role in Afghanistan – but the foreign ministry statement contains Asif ‘s emphasis on Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against terror
Highlighting Pakistan’s immense sacrifices in the enduring fight against terrorism, Foreign Minister Asif underlined Pakistan’s continued desire to work with the international community to eliminate the menace of terrorism, the foreign ministry said.
