US Defence Secy James Mattis may push Pakistan to act on Hafiz Saeed

The US would likely deliver a decisive and blunt message to Pakistan to act against terrorism masterminds such as LeT chief Hafiz Saeed operating from its territory when defence secretary James Mattis visits Islamabad on December 3.

The visit comes in the backdrop of the White House announcement on Saturday that inaction against Saeed will adversely impact US-Pakistan relations.

Mattis’ day-long visit to Islamabad amid back-to-back statements from Washington against Saeed is aimed at not only making Pakistan work toward stabilising Afghanistan, but also delivering a tough message to the Islamabad leadership to act against the anti-India terror infrastructure, officials said.


The Donald Trump administration has made India the centrepiece of Washington’s South Asia policy, and the two sides will hold a key dialogue next month on designations for terror groups.

The Trump Presidency, during Prime Minister Narnedra Modi’s visit to the US, designated Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin as a global terrorist.

According to experts on Indo-US ties, the current US administration has shown more intent than any other presidency in pressurising Pakistan to act against anti-India terror infrastructure.

The US had earlier threatened Pakistan that it would employ its own methods to deal with Pakistan-based terrorists if Islamabad failed to act.

On Friday, the State Department asked Pakistan to re-arrest Saeed and on Saturday, White House threatened the Pakistani leadership that there would be ramifications on bilateral ties if Saeed were allowed to remain free.

Mattis is also likely to ask Pakistan to eliminate the Haqqani Network, which has hideouts in Pakistani territory for launching attacks into Afghanistan. India has also been at the receiving end of the Haqqani network in Afghanistan.