‘Trump’s talks with Sharif likely to send unwelcome message to India’

Donald Trump’s “ignorant” conversation with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif may send India an unwelcome message, a leading American magazine has said.

The Forbes magazine said that Trump’s “flattering” conversation sends a message that he has no awareness of the issues between the US, Pakistan and India. “His bluster is more likely to be taken as the initial signal of his Administration’s position. When he goes on and on about how wonderful Pakistan is, and how strong is his friendship, it matters. It matters that he uses words like: very good reputation, amazing work... fantastic country, fantastic place, fantastic people,” it said.

“One of the main messages it sends, is that he shows no awareness of the issues between the United States, Pakistan, and India,” it said. Stating that Trump is not aware about the ground realities in South Asia, it said, his “ignorant” conversa- tion with Sharif may send India an “unwelcome message”.

A Hindu-American group urged Trump to look at the records of Pakistan in particular its fight against terrorism and human rights. “Diplomacy is necessary in dealing with Pakistan, but Trump and his administration will need to proceed with caution and full awareness of the country’s double-dealing track record,” Suhag Shukla, executive director of Hindu American Foundation said.