Trump's comments have been felt on concerned ears in Pakistan, who are vary of US's desire to see India's increasing role in Afghanistan. (Photo: Reuters)
United States President Donald Trump's call for more role of countries including India in fighting against Islamic State (IS) in Afghanistan, has come as a matter of concern for Pakistan.
US President Donald Trump, in his latest statement, has called on other countries including India, Iran, Russia and Turkey to play their role in fighting terrorism in Afghanistan.
Raising questions over the weak contributions from other countries in fighting terror groups like Islamic State (IS) in Afghanistan, Trump said that "at a certain point of time, countries like India, Iran, Russia and Turkey will have to fight terrorism in Afghanistan".
Trump said that only United States is fighting terrorism in Afghanistan, adding that it had no intent of staying in Afghanistan for 19 years.
"Do we want to stay there for another 19 years? I don't think so", he said.
Trump called on India to play its role in fighting terrorism. On the other hand, Trump slammed Pakistan's little effort in countering terrorism, calling it unfair of neighbouring countries of Afghanistan to do nothing and expect the US, a country 7,000 miles away, to do everything.
"Look, India is right there. They are not fighting it. We are fighting it. Pakistan is right next door. They are fighting it very little. Very, very little. It's not fair. The United States is 7,000 miles away," he said.
Trump's comments fell on concerned ears in Pakistan, who are vary of US's desire to see India's increasing role in Afghanistan.
Qamar Cheema, a seasoned analyst on strategic affairs said organizations like South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) should be empowered to control the regional security matters into control.
"There must be regional security mechanism for fighting Islamic State and for this SAARC must be reorganized and empowered," Cheema said, while adding that empowerment of SAARC "must not be used for vested interests of states".
"Western back efforts are needed and Indian needs to cooperate with other states in region otherwise there are chances SCO to come up with their own force to fight Islamic State for this region which Americans will not like and India will have to be part of that," Qamar Cheema said.
Talking about Pakistan's position on US's desire to see increased role of India in Afghanistan, Cheema said.
"Pakistan has been assured that Pakistan's legitimate interests will be protected in Afghanistan and India will not be given role which threatens our interests," Cheema said.
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