Trump says India looking at something \'very strong\' after Pulwama attack

Trump says India looking at something 'very strong' after Pulwama attack

Press Trust of India  |  Washington 

Asserting that there is a lot of problems between and Pakistan, US has said is looking at something "very strong" in the wake of the terror attack.

launched a major diplomatic offensive against after the attack and highlighted Pakistan's role in using terrorism as an instrument of state policy.

The international community led by the US pressed to deny safe haven to terror groups operating form its soil and bring the perpetrators of the attack to justice.

Trump, after his meeting with a visiting Chinese trade delegation led by Liu He, told reporters in the Oval Office of the on Friday that "in Kashmir, it's very dangerous".

The referred to the possibility of a strong response from in the wake of the terrorist attack.

"India is looking at something very strong. And I mean, India just lost almost 50 people with an attack. So, I could understand that also," he said when asked about India's right to self-defence.

Responding to questions on the tense situation between the two South Asian neighbours, Trump said the US is talking so does some other nations, without mentioning them.

"We are talking and a lot of people are talking. But, it is a very, very delicate balance going on right now. There's a lot of problems between India and because of what just happened," said the US

"We're very much involved in that, if that's what you're referring to," he said.

Trump described the current situation between India and as very dangerous.

"It's a terrible thing going on right now between Pakistan and India... it is a very, very bad situation and it's a very dangerous situation between the two countries. We would like to see it stopped. A lot of people were just killed and we want to see it stopped," he said.

Trump claimed that his administration has developed a much better relationship with Pakistan, even after he stopped USD 1.3 billion in financial aid to

"I stopped Pakistan, the USD 1.3 billion that we were paying them. In the meantime, we may set up some meetings with Pakistan.

"Pakistan was taking very strong advantage of the under other presidents and we were paying Pakistan 1.3 billion a year. I ended that payment to Pakistan because they weren't helping us in a way that they should have. And honestly, we've developed a much better relationship with Pakistan over the last short period of time than we had," Trump said.

In the wake of the Pulwama attack, US told his Indian counterpart last week that supports India's right to self-defence as both sides vowed to work together to ensure that Pakistan ceases to be a safe haven for JeM and other terror groups.

India has asked Pakistan to take immediate and verifiable action against terrorists and terror groups operating from territories under its control.

also announced the withdrawal of the Most Favoured Nation status for Pakistan and hiked the customs duty by 200 per cent on goods originating from Pakistan.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Sat, February 23 2019. 09:15 IST