It is certainly not usual—a separate press conference by a visiting state dignitary. Especially, when both countries are on the same page. But when it comes to US President Donald Trump, unpredictable, is the norm. In what was an extended press interaction—one with the much famed taking on the media, with Trump telling a CNN reporter “You have the worst history in broadcast—a measured President Trump talked about “great friendship and respect’’ towards India and his pet peeve of high “tariffs’’ in India and Harley Davidson. But beyond the predictable stand was another, the P-word and another friendship, one that India will be less than happy about—Pakistan.
Trump has made it clear, that he had a great relationship with Pakistan. The good relation had found a mention in his speech in the largest stadium in the world. To a question on Pakistan and India’s concerns on cross border terrorism, at the press conference, Trump said: “We talked a lot about Pakistan, I have a very good relationship with Prime Minister Khan. They are working on it….I will do whatever to help.’’ Repeating his offer to mediate on Kashmir, Trump said it has been a “thorn in both sides’’. “There are two sides to every story,’’ he said.
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While he offered to help in Kashmir, a few minutes later when asked about mediating, he backtracked. “Kashmir obviously is a big problem between India and Pakistan, they are going to work out their problem. They have been doing it for a long time.’’
The K-word looming large in the room—especially with Prime Minister Narendra Modi being strong against terrorism, as Trump observed—plays well for Pakistan. And Trump repeatedly saying that it is a problem that India and Pakistan have to solve, is a win for Pakistan’s position. India has argued at every forum, that Kashmir is an internal issue.
The remarks made by Trump on Pakistan also have to be viewed in the context of the upcoming US-Taliban deal. With the deal expected to be signed on February 29, US will be hoping for Pakistan’s help in its phasing out from Afghanistan. Asked about the peace deal, Trump said: “India would like to see it happen. I spoke to Prime Minister Modi and they would like to see it happen.” India, however, is watching the situation in Afghanistan closely and with tremendous trepidation, especially, now that the Taliban does seem to have emerged out of the negotiations not diminished.
