QUICK TAKE: In his Afghanistan policy address, Trump actually laid down South Asia policy

Bahauddin Foizee
Aug 22, 2017 · 2 min read

US President Donald Trump’s much-awaited televised speech on the 21st of August was supposed to lay down his administration’s Afghanistan policy. However, what really transpired eventually from his speech was his administration’s South Asia policy.

Donald Trump (DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jette Carr)

Trump largely denounced Pakistan for harboring militants.

“We have been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars at the same time they are housing the very terrorists that we are fighting.”

“No partnership can survive a country’s harboring of militants and terrorists who target US service members and officials.”

He called on India to step up its efforts in the region, including Afghanistan.

“The US will further develop its strategic partnership with India.”

Trump’s policy ruled out any scope for the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan.

“A hasty withdrawal would create a vacuum for terrorists, including ISIS and Al Qaeda.”

Barack Obama too embraced India during his two terms in White House and largely denigrated Pakistan. He was the first ever US president to visit India twice, while he never visited Pakistan in his two terms.

It seems Trump administration does not want to alter anything that its predecessor, under Barack Obama, took on with regard to South Asia; rather, it seems the Trump administration is willing to intensify them.


Bahauddin Foizee is an international affairs analyst & columnist, focusing on greater Asia Pacific, Indian Ocean & Middle East geopolitics. Besides, he infrequently writes his perspectives on European affairs and worldwide deteriorating environmental conditions & refugee scenarios.

AsiaPacificAffairs

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Bahauddin Foizee

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International affairs analyst & columnist, focusing on greater Asia Pacific, Indian Ocean & Middle East geopolitics.

AsiaPacificAffairs

The Asia Pacific Affairs publication brings to you the opinion and analysis on issues related to the greater Asia Pacific region and the Indian Oceanic region.

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