Trumppromisesunited front against terrorism
thanks to these efforts, we are beginning to see signs of big progress with Pakistan. And we are hopeful of reduced tension and greater stability and future harmony for all the nations of South Asia,” he said.
Though a Pakistani court recently gave a five-and-a-half year jail term to Lashkar-etaiba founder Hafiz Saeed in two terror financing cases, the Indian government has remained sceptical as the ruling came four days ahead of a key meeting of the Financial Action Task Force that assessed Pakistan’s
steps to counter fundraising by terrorist groups. Trump had suspended security aid worth more than $2 billion for Pakistan in 2018 after accusing the country of giving nothing but “lies and deceit” for such assistance. But the US recently resumed a key military training programme for Pakistan.
Without referring to Afghanistan, Trump spoke of India having an “important leadership role to play” as it takes on the “responsibility of solving problems and promoting peace” in the region.
He also explained his administration’s travel ban and efforts to secure US borders as part of measures to counter terrorism. The US, he said, will “always welcome newcomers who share our values and love our people” while the borders “will always be closed to terrorists...and any form of extremism”.
Trump said this is why the US is screening and vetting applications for entry and ensuring that anyone who threatens American citizens is “denied admission and will pay a very, very big costly price”.