US President Donald Trump on Monday said he urged Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to avoid war with Pakistan, highlighting that he has prevented multiple conflicts using diplomacy and trade leverage.
Talking to reporters in the Oval Office, the US leader said he had a telephonic conversation with the Indian Prime Minister and besides trade they discussed avoiding war.
The very fact that the topic formed part of the telephonic discussions and President Trump made it public highlights several dimensions of the development. It shows the possibility of another war between the two South Asian nuclear powers is there and the US President is also apprehensive of the Indian designs against Pakistan. In a sense, the American President checkmated Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is hurling threats on Pakistan day in and day out and once again Trump linked the issue of trade with India with the ongoing tension between New Delhi and Islamabad. There was no indication as to what was the reaction of the Indian Prime Minister in response to the advice rendered by President Trump but it is clear that the US concern will surely influence the decision-making process in Delhi. By emphasizing the need to avoid a war, President Trump has not only strengthened his peace credentials further but also demonstrated, once again, his preference to forge a closer cooperative relationship with Pakistan. He has repeatedly admired both the civil and military leadership of Pakistan for their wise policies and professionalism. The latest development shows the United States intends to continue with its existing policy of boosting trade and strategic ties with Pakistan.
It is known to all that President Trump played a crucial role in making both India and Pakistan agree to a ceasefire but Prime Minister Modi feels embarrassed in acknowledging his contribution because of domestic political reasons and interestingly the latest advice of the US President is an extension of his same old strategy. People of Pakistan are grateful to the United States for its clear stand on the issue of peace and stability in South Asia as Pakistan harbours no aggressive designs against any other country and wants a peaceful environment to pursue its multi-dimensional plan to develop its economy and resolve chronic problems of the people. In this backdrop, it is hoped that India will review its jingoistic posture and respond to repeated peace overtures by Pakistani leadership that believes in meaningful and structured talks to sort out issues. The remarks of President Trump also convey a message to India that another misadventure will add to the diplomatic isolation of New Delhi. However, in case India has not learnt any lesson then Pakistan is ready to respond as it did in May this year. This message has again been delivered by Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, who declared on Tuesday that any violation of Pakistan’s territorial integrity would be met with a firm and decisive response. In an interaction with participants of the 17th National Workshop Balochistan, he reiterated that while Pakistan seeks regional peace and stability, any violation of its territorial integrity, direct or indirect, will be met with a firm and decisive response to safeguard the lives and well-being of its citizens. Earlier, the army chief had cautioned India that there was “no space for war in a nuclearized environment” as he hailed Pakistan’s “clear victory” during the May conflict with the neighbouring country. Pakistan’s swift and strong retaliation to operation ‘Sindoor’ and combined incursions by Kabul and the outlawed TTP on the Western borders convey a unambiguous message that Islamabad is pursuing the policy of zero tolerance to any threat to its security.
