New Delhi
The Trump administration has taken a stern view of terrorists’ safe havens, which it sees as one of the key impediments in its Afghanistan and South Asia strategy. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson gave a clear message to Pakistan’s civil and military leadership while in Islamabad before flying to India — “act against terror groups and finish these or, else we (US) will”.

This was Tillerson’s assessment of his Pakistan visit which he shared with India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. The two met here for an hour this morning. Tillerson conveyed to Doval that this message, dressed in various ways, would be delivered to Pakistan’s leaders over the next few months.

Indian diplomatic sources suggest that unlike previous administrations, the Trump government has a clear eyeview of where the challenge lies in the region and is not giving “half messages” to state sponsors of terrorism.

Counter-terrorism was a prominent issue between Tillerson and Sushma Swaraj at the delegation-level talks. While this is Tillerson’s first official visit to India, the two leaders had earlier met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Swaraj stressed that sponsors of terror be held accountable. “We believe that effective action by Pakistan against all terrorist groups without distinction is critical to the success of President Trump’s new strategy,” the External Affairs Minister said.

Tillerson echoed the sentiment. “Terror safe havens won’t be tolerated,” he said. “There are too many terror organisations which find a place in Pakistan. We are attempting to put in place a cooperation mechanism, not just on information-sharing, but also action to deny them ability to launch attacks against other countries,” he said, expressing concern over the “stability” of the Pakistan government itself.

The two sides will hold the inaugural meeting of the new bilateral mechanism on domestic and international terrorist designations in India in December and also resume trilateral talks with Afghanistan.

Tillerson also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “In the context of President Donald Trump’s new South Asia policy, the PM noted the commonality in the objectives of eradicating terrorism, terrorist infrastructure, safe havens and support, while bringing peace and stability to Afghanistan,” read an official statement.

Swaraj reportedly highlighted the Indian immigrants’ concerns on the proposed changes in H1B and L1 visas. To a question, she clarified that while no changes had been made as yet to the existing legislations, the Modi government was working with the Trump Administration, besides trying to win the support of members of the US Congress to prevent any “adverse” change.