Washington will raise rhetorical pressure on Islamabad

Subject

Strained Pakistan-US relations.

Significance

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan last week expressed hope that US-led talks with the Taliban would bring peace to Afghanistan. Pakistan denies US claims that it harbours militants that attack Afghanistan.

Impacts

• India will urge the United States to take a tougher line on Pakistan.
• Tensions with Washington will push Islamabad closer to Beijing.
• Pakistan will aim to diversify its arms imports, seeking more purchases from new partners Russia and Turkey.