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Imran-Trump meeting top priority for new envoy
WASHINGTON: Exploring the possibility of an Imran-Trump meeting will be one of the priorities of Pakistan’s new envoy who arrives in Washington on Monday to take charge of the effort to renew once close relationship between the United States and Pakistan.
Dr Asad Majeed, until recently Pakistan’s ambassador in Tokyo, replaces Ali Jehangir Siddiqui who was sent by the PML-N government days before its departure but stayed here for more than seven months from May 9 to Dec 25, 2018.
On Jan 2, US President Donald Trump expressed his desire to meet Prime Minister Imran Khan for talks on US-led efforts to jump-start the Afghan peace process. “I look forward to meeting the folks from the new leadership in Pakistan [and] we will be doing that in not-too-distant future,” he said.
This week, reports in the US, Pakistani and Indian media claimed that both Washington and Islamabad are exploring the possibility of bringing Mr Khan to Washington for a White House meeting with President Trump.
Diplomatic sources in Washington, however, say that such a meeting can only materialise if there’s a tangible progress in US-Taliban talks.
The two sides have already held several meetings but the next round, scheduled in Saudi Arabia later this month, is still being finalised.
Ambassador Majeed, who was Pakistan’s deputy ambassador in Washington till 2015, is expected to focus on this proposal as a trade partnership would be more durable.
Also important for him is to revive Pakistanis lobbies on the Hill that once played an effective role in promoting bilateral ties but have become ineffective due to internal disputes and lack of interest. Ambassador Siddiqui did make some efforts to revive this tradition but he could only do so much in his brief tenure.
The new envoy’s efforts to re-engage with the Pakistani-American community will be restricted by a US ban that prohibits Pakistani diplomats from travelling outside of a 25-mile radius around Washington without approval.
Published in Dawn, January 8th, 2019
Comments (60) Closed
An interesting start...
Gordon D. Walker
Canada
What is the use for IK to meet with a man who constantly goes back on his word.
Everyone wants to meet with PM IK, Naya Pakistan Zindabad!
Smart move there is nothing to be gained by picking an argument with President Trump.
@Zeeshan, read the article carefully it is IK who wants to meet with Trump not the other way round.
besides numerous negative things and failure to rule are being contributed to IK - he (IK) is going up and up. It is because his intentions are noble for the people of Pakistan.
Pakistan on right track. IK will put forward Pakistan stance properly.
This should happen soon. This would be a great thing for Pakistan if it can happen.
I would trust IKs decision but Trump can only spread negativity and he thrives on bully tactics.
IK should ignore him for as long as possible.
This must be an attempt by the US to tame Imran Khan since daunting and intimidating tactics that they used to use on our previous “sold out” leaders have so far failed. A trap which Imran Khan should be aware of.
Don't rush. Wait for trump to reach out to you. At this juncture, US needs Pakistan more than other way around.
Now PMIK wants to tour USA.
President Trump should come to Pakistan to meet our great leader. Imran Khan should not travel all the way to meet a person of low I.Q and intellect who has openly critisized us a nation.
@Javed, Also, Why should he go to Washington?
Maintain dignity. Why should Pakistan envoy make all the efforts for a meeting? Keep it mutual from both sides based on self respect and respect will be earned and gains will be greater.
He wants to meet the folks Pakistan can send it's foreign minister to meet folks in Washington if trump really want to meet IK he is welcome to Islamabad.
@Hafeez, My dear long way to go.
Definitely a huge delegates is getting prepared, and hardly they will meet an achievement.
Pakistan should wait for a change in the US presidency.
Trump should come and meet Prime Minister Imran Khan in Pakistan
Don't go IK. They need us more than we need them. trump should come visit Pak
Finally, after several decades, Pakistan has the PM in Imran khan who has the confidence and ability to represent Pakistan very well at the world stage. The PM should plan a one week visit to the US during which he should meet with the US President as well as with prominent congressional leaders and with the CEOs of major US corporations to invite them to invest in Pakistan.
Let Trump come to Pakistan. Meet PM IK on our terms/soil.
This is a good time for this meeting, but Pakistan should insist that Trump should come to Pakistan to meet IK, rather than the other way around. Trump needs IK's support more than the other way.
There was a state who promised their nation to keep Pakistan abandoned in the world. Now I am not finding them around other than in Afghanistan for destabilizing South Asia
These are the tactics always used by the US, bring our leaders to their soil showing us we are inferior and cannot survive without the support of US. We are not in a rush to meet Trump and if he is then he should come to us.
Good luck. Hope luck favors u
@Noman Ul Haq, The voice of reason. But with trying to get a high score, who is listening?
@Prateik, for your kind information, it’s vice versa. Therefore correct your understanding of knowledge and perception.
It's time Trump visits Pakistan not the other way around
@Prateik, "Now PMIK wants to tour USA." Yes he does.
Everyone, even Americans know that Imran Khan is not desperate to meet Trump. However, meeting with Trump at the earliest opportunity would be beneficial to both countries and, help build bridges that collapsed due to abysmal performance on diplomatic front by the previous government with no foreign minister for four years.
@Pervez, " read the article carefully it is IK who wants to meet with Trump not the other way round." Trump announced his willingness to meet with the new Pakistani leadership live on TV in an important US cabinet meeting. Are you saying that he made that announcement on IK's request? If true, IK got influence on US president.
Why we go to their country everyrime ,ASK him to come here?we are not dying without them......try to be smart atleast
@Dawn yeah i am agree
If the American administration had any respect for Imran khan and Pakistans sacrifices they would not be exploring they would simply be doing.
Imran khan is changing Pakistan towards progress and prosperous
A sign of confidence on honest and dedicated PM Imran Khan's leadership is growing among world leaders. This was not evidence among previous corrupt governments under AAZ and NZ, because, world leaders were reluctant to meet them and treated them like an underdeveloped countries leader. This is one of many changes happened during the last four months - just wait and see more changes in the future.
A meeting between IK and Richard Geere, the IK look-alike - who could play the Kaptain in a biopic - may be a good idea too!
This will go towards promoting Pakistan in the US and raise trade and exports of Pakistani products.
Now see how Pakistan will be a super power in few coming years.
Pakistani economy beat indians
If Trump wants to meet , he can come to Pakistan. Khan doesn't need to go there....
Don’t go
Engagement is the best in diplomacy. All efforts must be made to improve this relationship which is so important.
Wow IK only meet biggest guys from world largest economy or second largest economy good but be careful they eat small economies in dinner.
Pakistan should not rush into a meeting with Trump. He is impulsive guy and could ruin the relationship.
Here we go with the trips to the US
@Usman,
Joke of the century. If youll can clear your debt in this century then it would be great effort
Inferior mentality. We do not need USA. The US has nothing to give except sanctions. Encourage investment For investment we do not need Trump. The Americans are greedy. If they can make money in Pakistan they will invest ( private companies). Private companies create jobs.
@Adnan Mazher Khan, best comment ever
At this time, PM IK should visit USA only if there are clear advantages to do so. otherwise, he should wait.
@Gordon D. Walker, No Not a good start at all.
Let D. Trump come to meet PM Imran Khan, as he's interested
PTI Government should consolidate its position with Russia, China, Iran, Turkey and Middle East first.
Pakistan should not hurry in meeting with Trump without any visibly tangible benefits of national interest. USA should demonstrate its sincerity in holding peaceful talks in the region to get out of Afghanistan. Useless trip by IK will be no good and must be avoided for as long as possible.
Pakistan's help to USA to get out honorably from Afghanistan should be tied up with USA helping for solution to Kashmir issue.
@Zaak, Worry about your gargantuan debt which taking you the way of soviet union.
IK should only meet those that are genuine friends and it is economically beneficial to do so. Then ,if time permits, he can meet those that are seeking favours while bad mouthing at the same time. Kashmir should be high on the agenda.
"Folk from Pakistan" ! I don't like the description.
@Zaak, "If youll can clear your debt in this century then it would be great effort" What happens if we don't clear our debt?
This time around, it actually is in the interest of the US to have President Trump meet PM Khan. Pakistan should insist for the US to stop it's adversarial policies towards it.
It is true America & Pakistan have been one of the closest allies since early ages of Pakistan, at the lest 50 years. Americans would not have maintained this close & strategic alliance was it not mutually beneficial.