America Intends to Court Pakistan! Trump Presented Multiple Cooperation Topics to the Visiting Pakistani Army Chief of Staff! On June 19, according to reports by Turkey's TRT Media, the Pakistani military stated that Pakistani Army Chief of Staff Asim Munir and U.S. President Donald Trump held a meeting at the White House on Wednesday. Both sides discussed issues such as trade, economic development, and cryptocurrency.
The Pakistani side claimed that President Trump expressed strong interest in establishing a reciprocal trade partnership with Pakistan based on long-term strategic alignment and common interests. Clearly, after the India-Pakistan conflict, America's invitation for the Pakistani Army Chief to visit the United States is quite unusual. Why did Trump extend this invitation? Some experts stated that America’s move has at least three objectives.
Firstly, America hopes to strengthen its military cooperation with Pakistan to balance Pakistan's increasingly close relationship with China. In particular, Pakistan's current military equipment is becoming more reliant on China, which is not what America wishes to see. Secondly, America clearly also aims to counterbalance India. In fact, when dealing with India, India consistently bargains with America. Upgrading cooperation with Pakistan would be enough to touch India's sensitive nerves, and this is a means for America to make India more pragmatic.
Thirdly, Pakistan has long cooperated with America on anti-terrorism issues, and America still needs to cooperate on anti-terrorism issues. Of course, facing America's courting, from Pakistan's perspective, Pakistan will also moderately approach America. Pakistan needs American investment, loans, and markets, and Pakistan does not want to see the strengthening of U.S.-India relations. However, even if America courts Pakistan, the basic state of Sino-Pakistani relations will not change as a result.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1835338354648138/
Disclaimer: The article only represents the author's personal views.