Washington, DC – The United States is looking forward to building a stronger relationship with Pakistan, on the basis of commitments made by the visiting Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Replying to a question from IAT, Morgan Ortagus, the US State Department Spokesperson told the daily briefing that the visit of Khan provided an opportunity with “an initial meeting.”
“This meeting, of course, gave the chance for the President (Donald Trump) and the Secretary (Mike Pompeo) to meet with Prime Minister Khan, to build a personal connection and rapport,” Ortagus said, hoping, “We think it’s time to make progress on the success of this first meeting.”
Expanding on expectations, the State Department Spokesperson said, “There was a number of issues that were discussed not only in the President’s meeting but with the Secretary’s meeting as well, and now is the time to build upon that meeting and to build upon those commitments.”
Highlighting the utterances from the visiting Pakistani leader, Ortagus said, “I would note one of the things that the prime minister says that he vowed to urge the Taliban to negotiate with the Afghan Government.”
Ortagus reiterated the US commitment “to peace in Afghanistan, adding, “We think that was an important step.”
Tejinder Singh, Editor, India America Today & White House Correspondent