Trump's demand

Sir — This refers to the editorial, “Talking tough on terror” (August 24). The US had shifted the epicentre of its geo-political interest away from the sub-continent. Its abdication from Afghanistan was a pointer to its diminishing attention over Pakistan, post-Osama bin laden. 

Now, the Islamic State has got Donald Trump revert back to Afghan theatre. He spots a new role for India even as he chastises Pakistan on terror. With internal troubles in Pakistan and powerful China, a new politico-economic paradigm in India-US relations needs to be set enduringly. 

Indian concerns of Afghanistan cannot be unilaterally switched on and off at the will of the US to suit its short-term strategies. The onus of vibrant bilateral ties is as much the responsibility of the US as it is India’s.