July 22, 2019
Reports coming out of Washington suggest that ‘Afghanistan and its peace process’ will remain the main talking point during PM Imran Khan’s meeting with the US President Trump on Monday. However, many also see this meeting as a ‘reset’ of relations between both the countries and acknowledgement of Pakistan’s integral role in Afghan peace.
Many in Washington believe that the US is ‘satisfied’ with Pakistan’s positive role in the Afghan peace process, especially bringing the Taliban to the dialogue table.
It is believed that the grounds for the visit were laid both when the US Department of State designated the BLA as a terrorist group and Pakistan arrested Hafiz Saeed; for which the US President also took credit on Twitter.
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) was added to USA’s list of specially designated global terrorists, announced the US State Department on July 2. In its statement, the State Department said, “BLA is an armed separatist group that targets security forces and civilians, mainly in ethnic Baloch areas of Pakistan”. Pakistan welcomed the move hoping the decision would restrict the BLA’s activities against Pakistan abroad. “It is important that the perpetrators, organisers, financiers and external sponsors including those glorifying these acts of terror against Pakistan are held accountable and brought to justice,” said a statement issued by Pakistan’s foreign ministry.
Before his meeting with President Trump, PM Khan also addressed thousands of Pakistani-Americans at the Capital One Arena in Washington D.C., reiterating his commitment towards accountability in Pakistan.
Many have argued that both the leaders also share striking similarities. One such similarity is the global stardom both of them enjoyed before assuming power; with Trump running a successful business and a TV show and Khan as ‘cricket world winning captain’ and philanthropist. However, according to Adil Najam, Professor of IR at Boston University, it is both the leaders’ ‘personalized’ foreign policy and their efforts of being different from their predecessors that makes them similar.
“Most importantly, in the context of their Monday meeting, both Donald Trump and Imran Khan have a deeply personalized approach to foreign affairs. It often seems that their foreign policy derives from their gut, and the impatience with conventional institutional wisdom is all too obvious. Each is out to prove that he is as different from all his predecessors as he possibly could be. Each is inclined to be bold, rather than careful. Each would rather be remembered as the leader who shook things up, rather than one who kept foreign policy stable”, argues Najam, while writing for The Hill.
PM Khan has a packed US schedule, where after his meeting with the US President, he will also meet US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo along with attending a session at the United States Institute of Peace.
By Special Arrangement with Matrix Magazine.
