In an extremely warm speech, Tillerson highlighted a number of points of convergence between the two erstwhile “estranged democracies”. On Afghanistan, Tillerson reiterated Trump’s desire to involve India more in contributing to developmental assistance to the war-ravaged nation. Offering more clarity on the US’ Pakistan policy, Tillerson said in Afghanistan on Monday that the US’ relationship with Pakistan is “conditions-based”, that is, based on whether Islamabad takes the action Washington feels is necessary. The Tillerson speech, however, has failed to impress the sceptics. And last, the sceptics are right in underscoring the contradictions in Trump’s Afghanistan strategy and his rhetoric on Iran.

Source: Mint October 24, 2017 21:56 UTC