ISLAMABAD: In a press briefing on Tuesday, US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce addressed questions on Washington’s diplomatic engagement with Pakistan and India, as well as the resurgence of terror groups in Afghanistan.
When asked about the US role in facilitating direct communication between India and Pakistan—particularly on issues like Kashmir and the Indus Waters Treaty—Bruce stated, “I like things that make me smile, and not many questions here make me smile… we have a lot of good news.”
She confirmed upcoming bilateral talks involving Pakistan, which she herself would attend.
Addressing concerns over the regrouping of ISIS, al-Qaida, and other terror outfits in Afghanistan, Bruce pointed to former President Trump’s track record, saying, “We know, of course, from his first term that he obliterated ISIS… While I won’t get ahead of the President, his previous performance and commitment can give us an idea of how he’ll move forward.”
Transcript of the briefing:
“Question: Yes, thank you – thank you so much. First of all, thanks. Your press team shared the detailed response of my question regarding violation of Indus Waters Treaty by India.
Ms Bruce: Excellent. Good.
Question: Your statement says that Pakistan and India – U.S. will engage direct communication between Pakistan and India to resolve this issue. Right, remember President Trump when he was in Saudi Arabia, he asked Secretary Rubio to invite leadership of Pakistan and India to normalize such relation between two countries. He – after stopping the war between Indian and Pakistan, he also offered to mediate on Kashmir. So I’m just curious, like, what are your thoughts – like, okay, direct communications with India on Indus Waters Treaty but what about Kashmir and the issues?
Ms Bruce: Well, I like things that make me smile, and not many questions here make me smile. And we have a lot of good news. And it’s – I know we talk about the bad news because things need to be fixed and then you have a focus on it and then we know how to move forward. And also the fact that, yes, when I say we’re going to take a question back and we need more information, you’re the proof that in fact we do get back to you. And we have Pakistan who is going to be here for a bilat, and I’ll participating in that, so I’m looking forward to that as well.
Question: One more question. President Trump on many occasions, he said that he will knock out ISIS, Daesh from all over the world. We have seen some success in Syria and Iraq, but this group is again organizing in Afghanistan: ISIS, al-Qaida —
Ms Bruce: Yes.
Question: — TTP, BLA, and many others. So when you are expecting any like targeted strikes against these terrorist networks in Afghanistan?
Ms Bruce: Well, we know, of course, from his first term that he obliterated ISIS, and then we had a four-year gap where they had opportunities to regenerate themselves. While I won’t get ahead of the President – but we can all look at his previous performance and his commitment. And very often, of course, that can give us a bit of an idea of how he’s going to be moving forward.”
