US, Pak have never been closer than right now: Trump.

Byline: SHAFQAT ALI

ISLAMABAD -- US President Donald Trump yesterday said that his country had never been closer to Pakistan than today as he pledged help on the Kashmir issue.

Speaking to journalists before a formal meeting with his 'friend' Prime Minister Imran Khan in Davos on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump said: 'The two countries have a good relationship. We have never been closer with Pakistan.' He added: 'And this is a big statement.'

To a question if he would also visit Pakistan since he was set for a trip to India, Trump said he was already meeting the Pakistani premier in Davos.

President Trump again offered to play a role regarding Kashmir issue. 'We have been closely monitoring the situation in (occupied) Kashmir. I will (later) discuss the Kashmir issue with Prime Minister Imran Khan,' adding he would speak to Indian PM Narendra Modi on the dispute.

Donald Trump said Imran Khan was his friend and he was happy to meet him again.

'What's going on between Pakistan and India ... if we can help, we certainly will be willing to. We have been watching it very closely and it's an honour to be here with my friend,' he maintained.

Trump said that trade was going to be of very, very paramount importance ... and 'we're working together on some borders, and we're talking about Kashmir in relation to what is going on with Pakistan and India. And if we can help we certainly will be helping.'

PM Imran Khan said: 'Fortunately, America and Pakistan are on the same page regarding Afghanistan. Talks are being held between their government and Taliban.'

He added: 'The Pakistan-India conflict is a very big issue for us in Pakistan and we expect the US to always play its part in deescalating the tensions, because no other country can.'

Abdul Razak Dawood and Zulfi Bukhari: the PM's advisers on commerce and overseas Pakistanis, respectively - were part of the delegation that met Trump.

The last time Trump and PM Imran Khan had met in 2019, the former had said he would 'mediate' to...