Talking tough, President Donald Trump today hit out at Pakistan for providing safe havens to “agents of chaos” that kill Americans in Afghanistan and warned Islamabad that it has “much to lose” by harbouring terrorists.
Trump, in his first prime-time televised address to the nation as Commander-in-Chief, came down heavily on Pakistan for its support to terror groups, saying the country receives billions in US aid but continues to harbour militants.
“For its part, Pakistan often gives safe haven to agents of chaos, violence and terror. The threat is worse because Pakistan and India are two nuclear-armed states whose tense relations threaten to spiral into conflict. And that could happen,” Trump said.
He said after a “comprehensive review”, it was decided that the American strategy in Afghanistan and South Asia will change dramatically.
Trump said a pillar of his new strategy was a change in America’s approach to Pakistan. He slammed Pakistan for its support to terror groups and warned Islamabad of consequences if it continues to do so. “We can no longer be silent about Pakistan’s safe havens for terrorist organisations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond,” he said.
“Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with our effort in Afghanistan. It has much to lose by continuing to harbour terrorists,” he said, in an apparent warning to Pakistan.
Immediate change
In his speech, President Trump slammed Islamabad for harbouring militants who target US service members. “But that will have to change. That will change immediately. No partnership can survive a country’s harbouring of militants and terrorists who target US service members and officials. It is time for Pakistan to demonstrate its commitment to civilisation, order, and to peace,” he said.
Trump noted, “the US has been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars but it continues to house the very terrorists that America is fighting.”
Trump, however, noted that Pakistan has been a valued partner and the militaries of the two countries have worked together against common enemies.
“The Pakistani people have suffered greatly from terrorism and extremism. We recognise those contributions and those sacrifices,” Trump said, adding, “But Pakistan has also sheltered the same organisations that try every single day to kill our people.”
Trump’s strong criticism of Pakistan comes days after the US designated Kashmiri militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen as a “foreign terrorist organisation”. Tt also comes about two months after declaring the group’s Pakistan-based chief Syed Salahuddin as a global terrorist.
India’s role
The US President also reached out to India, seeking an enhanced role for New Delhi, especially in the economic field, to bring peace and stability in Afghanistan.
“We appreciate India’s important contributions to stability in Afghanistan, but India makes billions of dollars in trade with the United States, and we want them to help us more with Afghanistan, especially in the area of economic assistance and development,” Trump said.
In a statement following Trump’s address, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson echoed the President’s views on enhanced role for India in the new South Asia strategy.
“India will be an important partner in the effort to ensure peace and stability in the region, and we welcome its role in supporting Afghanistan’s political and economic modernisation,” he said.
Tillerson also urged Pakistan to take decisive action against terror groups. “Pakistan has suffered greatly from terrorism and can be an important partner in our shared goals of peace and stability in the region,” he said.
“We look to Pakistan to take decisive action against militant groups based in Pakistan that are a threat to the region. It is vital to US interests that Afghanistan and Pakistan prevent terrorist sanctuaries,” Tillerson said.