Beijing: The US should recognise Pakistan's "important role" in Afghanistan and respect its sovereignty and legitimate security concerns, China's top diplomat told Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, defending Beijing's all- weather ally for a second time in as many days. State Councillor Yang Jiechi's remarks came two days after US President Donald Trump sternly warned Pakistan against providing safe heavens to militants. Trump on Tuesday unveiled his Afghan policy and also sought an enhanced role for India in bringing peace in the war-ravaged country. Yang during a phone call with Tillerson yesterday defended Pakistan's role in Afghanistan.
"We should attach importance to Pakistan's important role in Afghanistan and respect Pakistan's sovereignty and legitimate security concerns," Yang said. Elaborating on Yang s intervention expressing full backing for Pakistan, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told the media here that China "valued Pakistan's role in Afghanistan issue and respect Pakistan s sovereign and reasonable security concerns". China's Foreign Ministry had also backed Pakistan soon after Trump's statement. "(On the) President Trump's remarks on Pakistan, I should say that Pakistan is in the frontline of fighting terrorism, made sacrifices to fighting terrorism, making important contribution to upholding peace and stability," Hua had said on Tuesday.
In his policy address on Afghanistan and South Asia, Trump had said the pillar of his new strategy was a change in America's approach to Pakistan, considered a long-time ally of Washington.
Meanwhile, the US has said there is no time table for withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan with President Donald Trump asserting that America will pursue an "honourable and enduring" outcome in the war-torn country. Trump, who ruled out a hasty withdrawal of troops while announcing his Afghanistan and South Asia policy, said in all foreign policy decisions his administration will always put the safety and security of Americans first.
"We will pursue an honourable and enduring outcome in Afghanistan, worthy of the tremendous sacrifice our troops have already made. We will give our men and women in uniform the tools they need and the trust they have earned to fight and to win," he said.