India continues to exploit its position as a major trade and strategic partner of the US to undermine Pakistan's contributions to fighting terrorism in the region. This was the outcome of an anecdotal survey carried out by Business Recorder. However official sources stated that the post-Trump South Asian policy speech in which he accused Pakistan of providing sanctuary to terrorists who attack US forces Pakistan's response has led to a lowering of the rhetoric.
The scheduled visit of senior US officials for discussions with Pakistan that were postponed at Pakistan's request in the aftermath of the Trump speech are being worked out at a diplomatic level. Sources said that the delegation to be led by acting Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs and Acting Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Alice Wells will be visiting Islamabad shortly to further deliberate upon the discussions that took place between Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in Washington.
"The US leadership has acknowledged the crucial role of Pakistan in the region especially the efforts for restoration of peace and stability in Afghanistan through Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process," said a senior diplomat who declined to be named. He said that India has been playing the role of a spoiler in Afghanistan under the guise of development and this has been a major concern for Pakistan and was plainly conveyed to the US that it is not acceptable to Pakistan.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, according to the sources, has also accepted the invitation extended to by Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa during his recent visit to Kabul. They said that the upcoming visit of President Ghani will also help in easing the tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan, as peace in Afghanistan is crucial for regional peace, which would also help removing the misunderstanding between Pakistan and the US. However, seasoned diplomat and former foreign secretary Riaz Khokhar said that "issues raised by the US will take time to be resolved."
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