‘South Asia will be a relatively low priority for Trump Presidency’

Islamabad:Michael Kugelman, Director, South Asia Institute, Wilson Centre, US, has said that Trump's Indo-Pacific strategy would remain unchanged, making it difficult for Pakistan to navigate its position due to China factor.

Mr Kugelman was speaking at a seminar organised here by Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) and Metropolitan International University College (MIUC). Mr Kugelman said that while the U.S-India relationship may face shifts in priorities, its overall trajectory would remain positive. Dr Hassan Abbas from NESA Centre, Washington DC, suggested that under the Trump administration, the two key elements of US-Pakistan relations namely security sector collaboration for counterterrorism and the Fulbright scholarship programme fostering educational ties—were likely to remain significant and dynamic. The economic ties were also likely to withstand any challenges that may emerge because of Trump’s protectionist perspective.