Trump-Modi statement on Pakistan shakes Islamabad, triggers THIS angry response

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a crucial bilateral meeting with then-US President Donald Trump, where both leaders issued a joint statement urging Pakistan to prevent its territory from being used for cross-border terrorist activities. This stance has drawn sharp criticism from Islamabad. Expressing discontent, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson condemned the statement, calling it "one-sided, misleading, and against diplomatic norms."

Following the high-level meeting in Washington, spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan voiced Pakistan’s frustration, stating that including such remarks without acknowledging the country’s sacrifices in counterterrorism efforts was "shocking."

Major diplomatic win for India

India secured a significant diplomatic victory as President Trump approved the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, an accused conspirator in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. The announcement was made during his meeting with PM Modi, reinforcing its strategic importance.

"My administration has authorized the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, one of the world’s most dangerous criminals," Trump stated. Rana, a Pakistani-born Canadian national, is currently detained in a Los Angeles facility. The US had previously canceled $845 million in aid to Pakistan, citing concerns over its handling of terrorism-related issues.

India-US pressure on Pakistan over terrorism

In their joint statement, India and the US called on Pakistan to bring the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks to justice. The attack, which claimed over 165 lives, was orchestrated by terror groups that both nations identified as major threats, including Al-Qaeda, ISIS, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Commitment to global counterterrorism efforts

The statement emphasized the need for global cooperation in eliminating terrorist safe havens. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening counterterrorism measures, referencing past attacks such as the 26/11 Mumbai massacre and the 2021 Kabul airport bombing, which killed 13 US service members and 170 Afghan civilians.

Additionally, both nations pledged to work together to prevent terrorist organizations from gaining access to weapons of mass destruction, marking a significant step in their counterterrorism collaboration.