I hate to call Pakistan an ally: Former US diplomat

NEW DELHI: A former American diplomat said on Monday she "hates" calling Pakistan a US ally, ANI reported.                                                                 Teresita Schaffer, a former US envoy to Sri Lanka, made the comment in the context of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vis   it to the US where he met with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday.                                                               "I hate to call Pakistan an ally. That was historically true but it's such a complicated relationship," said Teresita Schaffer, a former US envoy to Sri Lanka, according to ANI. 

Schaffer also indicated that this could be a good time for the Modi-Trump meeting given the precarious relations between the US and Pakistan. Just on Monday, in fact, the US state department declared Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin a 'Specially Designated Global Terrorist'.

"Pakistan-US relations are in difficult shape, so on the face of it that would appear to make things little bit easier for India," the former US diplomat said.

Schaffer was referring to reports that the Trump administration is considering hardening its line against Pakistan in an attemptto crack down on militants based there who are launching attacks in neighbouring Afghanistan.

"Potential Trump administration responses being discussed include expanding U.S. drone strikes, redirecting or withholding some aid to Pakistan and perhaps eventually downgrading Pakistan's status as a major non-NATO ally," wrote Reuters citing two US officials who weren't named.

The US state department is currently hammering out a regional strategy to be presented to Trump, Reuters said.

"We've never really fully articulated what our strategy towards Pakistan is. The strategy will more clearly say what we want from Pakistan specifically," the two U.S. officials said.

In fact, a report in February by the conservative Hudson Institute think tank said the US needs to rethink its position vis-a-vis Pakistan.

"Thinking of Pakistan as an ally will continue to create problems for the next administration as it did for the last one," said the report.