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 have improved over the ‘last short period of time’, and added that the United States may set up some meetings with Pakistan.
Trump also voiced alarm at what he called ‘very dangerous situation’ between India and Pakistan following the Pulwama incident. “It’s very dangerous situation between the two countries,” he said. Earlier this week, Trump had described the Pulwama attack, in which 40 Indian paramilitary personnel were killed, as a ‘horrible situation’ and said it would be ‘wonderful’ if the two South Asian neighbours ‘get along’. “I have watched. I have got a lot of reports on it. We will have a comment (on it) at an appropriate time. It would be wonderful if they (India and Pakistan) get along,” Trump had said in response to a question during a media briefing at the Oval Office.
Published in Daily Times, February 23rd 2019.
