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World Reacts To Trump’s Afghan Policy

Many countries from the region and other parts of the world reacted to the newly-announced US strategy on Afghanistan and South Asian.

US President Donald Trump announced his new Afghan strategy on Tuesday.

After paying tribute to the US forces in Afghanistan, Trump said “I am here tonight to lay out our path forward in Afghanistan and South Asia.”

He was expected to talk about number of US troops which will be deployed to Afghanistan based on the new strategy. However, he did not mention this matter in his speech.

India

India's Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement that it welcomed Trump's "determination to enhance efforts to overcome the challenges faced by Afghanistan and in confronting issues of safe havens and other forms of cross-border support enjoyed by terrorists."

"We are committed to supporting the Government and the people of Afghanistan in their efforts to bring peace, security, stability and prosperity in their country," the statement added.
Pakistani politicians

China

China defended its ally Pakistan after Trump said the United States could no longer be silent about Pakistan's "safe havens" for militants and warned it had much to lose by continuing to "harbour terrorists".

Trump committed the United States to an open-ended conflict in Afghanistan, signalling he would dispatch more troops to America's longest war and vowing "a fight to win".

He insisted that others - the Afghan government, Pakistan, India and NATO allies - step up their own commitment to resolving the 16-year conflict, but he saved his sharpest words for Pakistan.

US Democrats

Democrats argued Trump that was proposing an open-ended commitment with no exit strategy or ceiling on US troops there.

“Tonight, the President said he knew what he was getting into and had a plan to go forward. Clearly, he did not," House minority leader Nancy Pelosi said in a statement.

"The President's announcement is low on details but raises serious questions,” the statement added.

NATO

NATO Secretary General also welcomed the new strategy.

“I welcome President Trump’s new, conditions-based approach to Afghanistan and the region. NATO remains fully committed to Afghanistan and I am looking forward to discussing the way ahead with Secretary Mattis and our Allies and international partners,” NATO said in a statement on Tuesday.

NATO Allies and partners have already committed to increasing our presence in Afghanistan.

NATO currently has over 12,000 troops in the country, the statement said. “In recent weeks, more than fifteen nations have pledged additional contributions to our Resolute Support Mission. We place special emphasis on continuing the development of Afghan Special Forces, Air Forces and improving command and control.”

Pakistan

The US Ambassador David Hale paid a courtesy call on the Foreign Minister this afternoon. Ambassador Hale briefed the Foreign Minister about President Trump’s latest statement on the US policy review on South Asia and Afghanistan. Ambassador Hale conveyed that the Secretary of State Rex Tillerson looked forward to meeting the Foreign Minister in the next few days to have an in-depth discussion on the state of play in the bilateral relationship as well as the new US policy on South Asia. 

The Foreign Minister stated that he had accepted the invitation when the Secretary of State called him on 14th August and looked forward to his early interactions in Washington. The Foreign Minister reiterated Pakistan’s perspective and desire for peace and stability in Afghanistan. Highlighting Pakistan’s immense sacrifices in the enduring fight against terrorism, the Foreign Minister underlined Pakistan’s continued desire to work with the International Community to eliminate the menace of terrorism. 

Pakistani Politicians

In response to US president’s address a number of Pakistani politicians expressed their views on Trump’s comments against Pakistan.

"So the US again blames Pak for its deeply flawed & failed Afghan policy stretching over a decade," Chairman Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf [PTI], Imran Khan said in a series of tweets.

"A ban should be imposed on Afghanistan as we have longest the border area with Afghanistan and terrorists enter from there, do terrorist activities and go back. Trump's statement regarding Pakistan has no value and we are not listening seriously, because he is only responsible for his own country," said Haji Manor Akber, retired civil servant from Pakistan.

World Reacts To Trump’s Afghan Policy

Reacting to Trump’s remarks, New Delhi said India is committed to supporting the government of Afghanistan in their efforts to bring peace to their country.

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Many countries from the region and other parts of the world reacted to the newly-announced US strategy on Afghanistan and South Asian.

US President Donald Trump announced his new Afghan strategy on Tuesday.

After paying tribute to the US forces in Afghanistan, Trump said “I am here tonight to lay out our path forward in Afghanistan and South Asia.”

He was expected to talk about number of US troops which will be deployed to Afghanistan based on the new strategy. However, he did not mention this matter in his speech.

India

India's Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement that it welcomed Trump's "determination to enhance efforts to overcome the challenges faced by Afghanistan and in confronting issues of safe havens and other forms of cross-border support enjoyed by terrorists."

"We are committed to supporting the Government and the people of Afghanistan in their efforts to bring peace, security, stability and prosperity in their country," the statement added.
Pakistani politicians

China

China defended its ally Pakistan after Trump said the United States could no longer be silent about Pakistan's "safe havens" for militants and warned it had much to lose by continuing to "harbour terrorists".

Trump committed the United States to an open-ended conflict in Afghanistan, signalling he would dispatch more troops to America's longest war and vowing "a fight to win".

He insisted that others - the Afghan government, Pakistan, India and NATO allies - step up their own commitment to resolving the 16-year conflict, but he saved his sharpest words for Pakistan.

US Democrats

Democrats argued Trump that was proposing an open-ended commitment with no exit strategy or ceiling on US troops there.

“Tonight, the President said he knew what he was getting into and had a plan to go forward. Clearly, he did not," House minority leader Nancy Pelosi said in a statement.

"The President's announcement is low on details but raises serious questions,” the statement added.

NATO

NATO Secretary General also welcomed the new strategy.

“I welcome President Trump’s new, conditions-based approach to Afghanistan and the region. NATO remains fully committed to Afghanistan and I am looking forward to discussing the way ahead with Secretary Mattis and our Allies and international partners,” NATO said in a statement on Tuesday.

NATO Allies and partners have already committed to increasing our presence in Afghanistan.

NATO currently has over 12,000 troops in the country, the statement said. “In recent weeks, more than fifteen nations have pledged additional contributions to our Resolute Support Mission. We place special emphasis on continuing the development of Afghan Special Forces, Air Forces and improving command and control.”

Pakistan

The US Ambassador David Hale paid a courtesy call on the Foreign Minister this afternoon. Ambassador Hale briefed the Foreign Minister about President Trump’s latest statement on the US policy review on South Asia and Afghanistan. Ambassador Hale conveyed that the Secretary of State Rex Tillerson looked forward to meeting the Foreign Minister in the next few days to have an in-depth discussion on the state of play in the bilateral relationship as well as the new US policy on South Asia. 

The Foreign Minister stated that he had accepted the invitation when the Secretary of State called him on 14th August and looked forward to his early interactions in Washington. The Foreign Minister reiterated Pakistan’s perspective and desire for peace and stability in Afghanistan. Highlighting Pakistan’s immense sacrifices in the enduring fight against terrorism, the Foreign Minister underlined Pakistan’s continued desire to work with the International Community to eliminate the menace of terrorism. 

Pakistani Politicians

In response to US president’s address a number of Pakistani politicians expressed their views on Trump’s comments against Pakistan.

"So the US again blames Pak for its deeply flawed & failed Afghan policy stretching over a decade," Chairman Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf [PTI], Imran Khan said in a series of tweets.

"A ban should be imposed on Afghanistan as we have longest the border area with Afghanistan and terrorists enter from there, do terrorist activities and go back. Trump's statement regarding Pakistan has no value and we are not listening seriously, because he is only responsible for his own country," said Haji Manor Akber, retired civil servant from Pakistan.

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