President Donald Trump is prepared to take “whateversteps necessary” against Pakistan if it does not “change its behaviour” and continued to support terror groups, Defence Secretary Jim Mattis has said. Mattis also warned Pakistan of global “diplomatic isolation” and losing its Non-NATO ally status if it failed to take action against safe havens to terrorists on its soil.
“If our best efforts fail, President Trump is prepared to take whatever steps necessary,” Mattis told members of the powerful House Armed Services Committee during a Congressional testimony on South Asia and Afghanistan.
He was asked a series of questions by Congressmen who expressed their frustration on Pakistan not taking actions against terror groups. Without much elaboration, Mattis said the US has “enormously powerful number of options” if Pakistan does not follow through and be a better promoter of stability in the region. “Right now, I will like to think we will be successful,” Mattis said. “With growing consensus against terrorism, they’ll find themselves diplomatically isolated.” “There is an awful lot of advantage to Pakistan of coming online with international community, and we have to stay focused there, but penalties are just significant as advantages if they choose to go different direction,” he said.