Has PM Imran Khan's visit to the US signalled the start of a new chapter in Pak-US relations?

[MenInG]

Some very impressive moments during the recently concluded trip by Imran Khan.

Issues of Kashmir and Afghanistan stole the limelight and also seemed to have made an impression on Trump as well.

So will this signal the start of a brand new chapter in Pak-US relations or will there be no change in status quo?

 

[Savak]

The visit was impressive. But lets not get ahead of ourselves. A lot of the extra attention was because of IK's celebrity and stature. It requires 10-20 years of sustained good governance to create a positive permanent impression

 

[mmkextreme_1]

Yes! From the optics of the whole thing, it certainly seems so.

The thing with President Trump is that he's a loose cannon, we can sit here and say "oh everything is going great" and boom, he'll tweet out something out of nowhere that'll catch us all off guard.

This certainly was one of the best visit by a PM from Pakistan. He impressed a lot of people. What I loved was that he put Pakistan first in everything. That response to the Fox News anchor was on point.

Hope DJT really does visit Pakistan

As an American-Pakistani I felt extremely proud of how well PM Imran represented the nation.

 

[zn426]

IK did a great job, but things aren't solved in one visit.

That said, his execution throughout the trip was superb. By opening with the massive rally, he was able to project an image of strength in what was supposed to be a hostile environment. He had significant discussions with various business owners to push for investment in Pakistan, an absolute must. He used Trump's reputation as a loose cannon and his savior complex to get him to put India on the back foot. Now every time there's an issue with Kashmir, Khan can say, "well, President Trump offered to mediate peace talks, but you weren't interested." The visits to Congress and the US Institute of Peace really introduced him to the US community.

The one negative I would cite is that the conversation remains too much on security issues. The Fox News interview was an example of this. I get that security is a major part of the relationship between Pakistan and the US, but going forward IK needs to find a way to make economics part of the public cnversation. We know that there are some business issues that are started to work themselves out (PIA direct fights, business investment), but if there's one thing that would really help Pakistan it's working to push capital investment like dams and similar. There need to be more seminars on the "Pakistan Bano" bonds and similar so people have an opportunity to invest.

 

[Savak]

IK did a great job, but things aren't solved in one visit.

That said, his execution throughout the trip was superb. By opening with the massive rally, he was able to project an image of strength in what was supposed to be a hostile environment. He had significant discussions with various business owners to push for investment in Pakistan, an absolute must. He used Trump's reputation as a loose cannon and his savior complex to get him to put India on the back foot. Now every time there's an issue with Kashmir, Khan can say, "well, President Trump offered to mediate peace talks, but you weren't interested." The visits to Congress and the US Institute of Peace really introduced him to the US community.

The one negative I would cite is that the conversation remains too much on security issues. The Fox News interview was an example of this. I get that security is a major part of the relationship between Pakistan and the US, but going forward IK needs to find a way to make economics part of the public cnversation. We know that there are some business issues that are started to work themselves out (PIA direct fights, business investment), but if there's one thing that would really help Pakistan it's working to push capital investment like dams and similar. There need to be more seminars on the "Pakistan Bano" bonds and similar so people have an opportunity to invest.

I think if IK was coming to the US, he should have also visited Canada as well. These two countries have the largest Pakistani populations in the Western world and could have been used to promote Pakistani issues.

Trudeau IK discussions and press conference would have been box office and if IK got a rock star reception by Pakistani Americans in the US, he would have been paraded in Canada just like one of his Jalsas

 

[PakLFC]

The body language of IK was certainly very positive. He looked relaxed sitting back in his chair where as Trump sitting forward appeared to be on edge. Trumpy seemed impressed by IK looking towards him for approval when commenting during the question-answer session then even bought up the Kashmir issue as well so to further please our PM. IK pointing his finger at Trump gave the impression of not being remotely intimidated by him instead correcting his errors by telling him what was right. One thing is certain that America now knows it has to "do more". IK will never allow America to run allover Pak again.

 

[PakLFC]

This picture says it all. No other prime minister or president could do this to the most powerful man in the world.

 

[PetroDollars]

it will improve but people are getting ahead of themselves abit, Musharraf had great trips to the US aswell.

Now things will depend on IK, but i noticed something during this trip, Trump wasnt his normal self who would go hard and aggressive, he also seemed abit desperate for these relations to improve, seems like he wants something out of Pak, afgan exit?, turn Chinese ally into US alley, help against IRan? they must have discussed it,

 

[MenInG]

Very positive feedback and seems some good news coming out of this - at the least, Trump has someone in Pakistan he can talk with who he can trust with US money!