WASHINGTON: The US President Donald Trump warmly received Prime Minister Imran Khan at the White House in Washington DC wherein the latter is as part of latest bilateral engagement with hopes to turn the Pak-US relations into more constructive and mutually beneficial.
Donald Trump shook hands with Imran Khan who was wearing blue shalwar qameez with a waistcoat when he accompanied by his delegation reached White House.
Both the leaders exchanged smiles and waved hands towards media before Trump escorted the visiting dignitary inside for talks.
President Trump welcomes Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to the White House. pic.twitter.com/zNZF96urWp
— The Hill (@thehill) July 22, 2019
Later, the two leaders began one-one-meeting with each other.
Flanked with Imran Khan, the US president told media that he is seeing talks with the visiting delegation in an extremely positive light.
Trump expressed hope that the relations between the two Countries would witness further improvement.
President Trump gave remarks in the Oval Office at the beginning of his meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/N4Wfz6kxKG
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 22, 2019
Trump offers mediation to resolve Kashmir issue
In the meantime, as per the AFP news agency, the US President Donald Trump said that Pakistan is “helping us a lot now” on Afghanistan.
President Trump also offered his services as a mediator between Pakistan and India on the resolution of long-standing Kashmir dispute.
#BREAKING President Trump offers to mediate Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan pic.twitter.com/uStNTEFoqW
— AFP news agency (@AFP) July 22, 2019
Talking to media following their meeting, Donald Trump said that he had a very fruitful and positive meeting with Imran Khan.
Trump said that if he could help, he would like to play the role of a mediator on the Kashmir issue.
The US president also claimed that the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also requested him to play a arbitrator or mediator’s role in resolving the Kashmir dispute.
میں اپنی زنگی میں پہلا لیڈر دیکھ رہا ہوں کہ جس نے ہم نہتے کشمیریوں کیلئے آواز اُٹھائی۔#KhanMeetsTrump
— Syed Ali Geelani (@sageelani) July 22, 2019
Eulogizing Prime Minister Imran Khan and Pakistani nation, the US president said that Imran Khan is the most popular leader in Pakistan. He said that Pakistani nation is resilient and the US wants good relations with them. He also remarked that he would definitely visit Pakistan if an invitation is extended to him.
“I expect we would in very short period of time start having a significant trade with Pakistan. Pakistan is a big Country, they make great product. We can increase our trade 10-20 Times,” Trump said.
With regard to Afghanistan, Trump said that neither they want to play a policeman’s role in Afghanistan nor they want massacre of 10 million Afghans in the war-torn Country.
Donald Trump said that Pakistan is playing an important role in the peace process in Afghanistan. He said that they would require Pakistan’s assistance in their withdrawal from Afghanistan.
In his remarks, Imran Khan said that we have played a front line role in the war against terrorism.
The prime minister said that Pakistan will always be straightforward with you (the United States). He said that more than any other Country, peace in Afghanistan is in Pakistan’s interest. “We get directly affected by it. Pakistan needs stability,” he said.
Imran Khan reiterated his stance that there is no military solution to the Afghan conflict.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said in a twitter message that “The Prime Minister of Pakistan is here to showcase his vision of a “Naya Pakistan” and to start a new era of bilateral relations. We have come with a narrative of peace and prosperity in the region.”
The Prime Minister of Pakistan is here to showcase his vision of a “Naya Pakistan” and to start a new era of bilateral relations. We have come with a narrative of peace and prosperity in the region.#KhanMeetsTrump
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) July 22, 2019
Earlier following a meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan, the US Senator Lindsey Graham tweeted that “In my opinion he and his government represent the best opportunity in decades to have a beneficial strategic relationship the US. This will help us secure Afghanistan and the region long-term.”
Great meeting with the PM of Pakistan, Imran Khan. @ImranKhanPTI
In my opinion he and his government represent the best opportunity in decades to have a beneficial strategic relationship the US. This will help us secure Afghanistan and the region long-term. pic.twitter.com/sHN07H5Biv
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) July 22, 2019
Tremendous business opportunities exist between Pakistan and the US through a free trade agreement tied to our mutual security interests.
It’s also our best chance in decades to reset the relationship between the US and Pakistan.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) July 22, 2019
Hoping for a great meeting between President @realDonaldTrump and PM Khan today.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) July 22, 2019
