WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — The Hindu American Foundation is calling upon President-elect Donald Trump to reconsider his approach to Pakistan after an unusually detailed readout of a call showed the president-elect offering gushing praise for the country’s prime minister.
The D.C.-based advocacy group cited a laundry list of Pakistan issues for Trump to consider, including human rights abuses, the rise of extremism in the country and Pakistan’s current conflict with the neighboring nation of India.
“If the transcript of the conversation is indeed accurate, we’d urge President-elect Trump to look more carefully at Pakistan’s record within its own borders and with its neighbors before offering praise,” said Suhag A. Shukla, HAF executive director, in a statement.
Trump discussed none of those topics during his recent conversation with Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, instead providing lavished praise for his counterpart, according to the readout issued by the Pakistani government. “You are a terrific guy. You are doing amazing work which is visible in every way,” Trump said, according to the readout. “I am ready and willing to play any role that you want me to play to address and find solutions to the outstanding problems.”
The call drew just as much condemnation from foreign policy experts as it did confusion — Pakistan is technically an American ally that receives financial support, but relations between the two countries has grown tense in recent years. The U.S., in recent months, have said Pakistan need to do a better job combatting terrorism in the nation.
Additionally, the President-elect sought out to win over Indian-Americans during his campaign, promising to be a close friend to the country if elected.
Pakistan and India have been hostile toward each other since they became separate political entities in 1947; since then, they have fought four wars and continue to battle over Kashmir.
“Pakistan’s challenges are only further amplified by an unabated rise in radicalization and the presence of dozens of domestic and international Islamist terrorist organizations which have historically enjoyed the patronage of the state’s security and intelligence services,” said Shukla. “The American interest in a strategic partnership with the only secular democracy in the region—India—is gravely compromised by Pakistan’s proxy war in Kashmir and cross-border terror attacks in India.”
Shalabh Kumar, founder and chairman of the Republican Hindu Coalition, who was also named Thursday to Trump’s transition team, issued a statement of his own after Pakistan released the readout:
“The Pakistani government has released a readout of the President-elect’s call with PM Sharif. I believe that President-elect Trump would make supportive and kind statements about the Pakistani people and PM Sharif. President-elect Trump extends a hand in peace and friendship to all countries and all people who will deal fairly with the United States and who seek a more peaceful and prosperous world. Under a Trump administration, we will put America first, and will support alliances around the world that benefit the stability and welfare of all people.
“President-elect Trump has said that under a Trump administration, the U.S. and India will be “best friends”, and that he loves the Hindu and Indian people, and particularly admires Prime Minister Modi.
“I know that India wants peace with Pakistan, and believe that many of the people of Pakistan seek peace with their neighbors and would like to stamp out radical Islamic terror. Some of Pakistan’s leaders, as well, have expressed these intentions and have a wonderful relationship with India’s leaders. President-elect Trump knows who are the true friends of the U.S. in the region. I know that President-elect Trump and the incoming administration will do everything it can to encourage these intentions and foster constructive relationships which will pay dividends on peace and prosperity in Asia and throughout the world.”
