"Mutual respect" and "mutual trust" must guide relations between the United States and Pakistan going forward and this has been repeatedly underscored in all engagements with members of the Trump administration.
This was the message given by Pakistani officials to US officials, including Ambassador Alice Wells, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, during her visit to Pakistan from 15 to 16 January, subsequent to President Trump's 1 January tweet: "The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!"
Pakistan did not take a 'reactionary approach' to the tweet or engage in a tit for tat approach which would have been unhelpful. Instead the National Security Council of the Cabinet gave a considered response that was measured though concern and strong displeasure of the people of Pakistan was conveyed to members of the Trump administration, high level diplomatic sources stated. "We must remain engaged with the US as the relationship is based on mutual interest," sources added.
Background discussions on the eve of the United Nations Security Council debate on Afghanistan after the members' visit to Afghanistan from 13 to 15 January 2018, (scheduled today) and two days after the departure of Alice Wells, who visited Pakistan from January 15-16 revealed.
Pakistan has conveyed to the United States that it is not seeking restoration of security assistance even though it served mutual interests, sources stated. Ambassador Wells reportedly responded that the cessation of security assistance was 'a step though not necessarily a permanent one'.
Ambassador Wells also acknowledged that Pakistan has made extraordinary sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and the US will not allow Afghan territory to be used against Pakistan.
Policy on Pakistan is largely the domain of three generals: Kelly, McMaster and Mathis. Mathis is not reactionary and is the most seasoned player, senior government officials stated.
There is a persistent divergence between Pakistan and the US on three major issues: (i) the Haqqani network which may be resolved through regular meetings between Chief of Army Staff and Centcom commander General Joseph Votel; (ii) border management issues with Pakistan deeply concerned about a 648 kilometer long highly porous border not patrolled by Afghan forces though Pakistan is attempting to control movement there, and (iii) early repatriation of Afghan refugees with Pakistan alleging that the refugee camps are being used as a base for launching terrorist attacks here. There is a consensus in the Pakistani cabinet as to the need to repatriate the refugees and the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions was directed in the last cabinet meeting to formulate a plan by the end of this month for the completion of the Afghan repatriation process.
The US at the present moment in time is deeply concerned with the likelihood of a spring offensive in Afghanistan and wants Pakistan's assistance in the reconciliation process. Pakistan's stance is that any spike in violence in Afghanistan is not Pakistan's responsibility and has categorically conveyed to the Americans that the Afghan war will not be fought in Pakistan. However Pakistan will remain engaged in the peace process that is Afghan-led and Afghan-owned and in this context will attend the meeting scheduled on 20 February.
Sources further revealed that Ambassador Wells was informed that there have been over 100 cross-border violations by India in just 14 days, an attempt by India to destabilize Pakistan, which have cost military and civilian lives; the Ambassador was urged to council restraint to the Indian government, diplomatic officials revealed. The Ambassador reportedly noted Pakistan's concern and stated that the US will not support any destabilizing effort against Pakistan. However the real politik is that the US remains pivoted towards India as the regional power player, senior officials acknowledged.
Bilateral relations with Afghanistan have been marred by ethnic differences within Afghanistan, the unfettered narco-trade, rampant corruption and by external actors that want it to move in a certain direction notably the US and India. The Pakistan government proposed five working groups to resolve differences between the two countries but the proposal was watered down to the extent that it was not doable. Pakistan has now proposed three working groups: (i) political/diplomatic, (ii) counter terrorism and (iii) intelligence sharing. If bilateral issues between Pakistan and Afghanistan are resolved then "it would also help our relations with the US," sources added.
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