Why President Donald Trump in cozying up to PM Imran Khan?
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ISLAMABAD - It’s has not been since very long ago, that the heap of vituperation is being poured in the persona of PM Khan when he explored the myth called U-turn. The print and electronic media abuzz with Khan’s knockers pooh-poohed him for his irrational justification of a controversial locution.
But now what they say about world superpower President’s mammoth U-turn in which he says: “We want to have a great relationship with Pakistan…So, I look forward to meeting with the folks from—and the new leadership in Pakistan, we’ll be doing that in the not-too-distant future.”
If the history is any reminder, President Trump has incessantly been very bitching toward Pakistan for harboring terrorists—a charge Pakistan denies. He sidelined Pakistan in his “New South Asia Policy” declared in November 2017. Announcing the initial halt of funds in Jan.2018, Trump accused Islamabad of rewarding past U.S. aid with “nothing but lies and deceit.”
Trump’s admin canceled $300M aid to Pakistan over terror record: the proposed cuts marked a new low in what’re already deteriorating relations with the U.S. long-term ally. In Nov.2018, President Trump had a twitter spat with PM Khan where both Khan defended baseless accusations and asked Trump to not to seek resort of the defeat in Afghanistan in this way.
Now what happened that Trump is instantly cozying up with Pakistan? Not only he is looking forward for a constructive meeting with Pakistan’s new leadership but also Indian PM Modi is the latest subject of Trump’s mockery for funding a library in Afghanistan. While unveiling the general contents of his meeting with Modi, Trump said, “Modi keeps redundant that India funded a library in Afghanistan. You know what that’s?
That is like 5 hours of what we spend.” He further said, “And we are supposed to say, ‘Oh, thank you for the library.’ I don’t know who is using it in Afghanistan.”
Trump’s recent abhorrence toward Modi hints at American enduring frustration in Afghanistan. The U.S. strategic coterie is mindful of the fact that it’s only Pakistan that can help them out to exit from Afghan imbroglio. Indian role in Afghanistan is one of bad hat as it has orchestrated lethal hybrid warfare inside Pakistan.
Indian subversive activities get Pakistan defensive along Durand line while leaving Tehrik-i-Taliban Afghanistan (TTA) roam free to wreak havoc on Americans.
Now while there are five stakeholders who share the goal of bringing an end to the U.S. longest war in Afghanistan; there are also three allies of convenience to perpetuate Afghan war.
Former includes Russia, China, the U.S., Pakistan and Taliban. While latter who have growing appetite for war are: New Delhi, Kabul, and to some extent Tehran as to all three Taliban qua juggernaut are unacceptable.
It’s actually American chronic tiredness that Trump announced reducing the 14,000 American forces in Afghanistan by half, days after the meeting between the Taliban and U.S officials in Abu Dhabi.
Trump’s announcement procured Taliban’s willingness to eventually talk to the Kabul government after reaching an agreement with the U.S.
While long shadows of winters unremittingly hovering over dubious electoral prospect as a consequence of which Afghan presidential elections are postponed until July 20. The inclination is obvious: the bonhomie with Taliban to secure the safe USA exit.
In sum, Pakistan is actively trying to persuade Taliban to end two-decade long deadly conflict. China, Russia, and even the KSA along with the UAE want Pakistan’s proactive role in peace efforts.
And what does now Uncle Sam need to do: nothing but to stretch the rub of congeniality over its old ally’s back. Only this cozying up can emanate Trump’s ‘plausible deniability’, which’s what he needs for re-election.
BY: Ali Abbas
