News @ 3 - 3rd January 2019

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he looks forward to meeting the new leadership in Pakistan, underlining that his country wants a “great relationship” with the long-time ally.

In his televised comments he made while speaking to reporters after a Cabinet meeting, Trump asserted that a meeting with the new leadership in Pakistan would be held soon.

He told the meeting that his administration has initiated peace talks with the Taliban. Donald Trump urged other countries, specifically Russia, Pakistan, and India, to become more involved in the fighting in Afghanistan.

In a corresponding period last year, Trump had strongly criticized Pakistan in his January 1 tweet, announcing cut in aid to the country.

“The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!” Trump had said in the tweet on Jan 1, 2018.