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Pakistan welcomes US mediation for easing ties with India

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Khwaja Asif claims of “cleared air” in ties with US

Having gone through US pressure for “doing more” to contain terror groups on its soil for few months, Pakistan seemed to be relieved on Monday when its foreign minister Khwaja Asif assured that their security forces have dismantled terrorist network across the country and welcomed US mediation for easing its ties with India.

According to Radio Pakistan Asif was speaking at US-Pakistan Bilateral Dialogue – organised by a think tank in Islamabad. He said that Pakistan has always opted for comprehensive dialogue for a peaceful neighbourhood. Asif shared dais with US Ambassador David Hale after a while on Monday.

The theme for the US-Pakistan Bilateral Dialogue was “Convergence amid divergence: Identifying pathways to cooperation in a challenging environment”.

Clarifying US preference of India’s growing role in Afghanistan, Pakistan’s foreign Minister Khwaja Asif said, “America has assured us that New Delhi’s role in Afghanistan will be limited to economic assistance only.”

He said that it was “unfair to blame Pakistan for whatever ails Afghanistan” as Pakistan has “eliminated terrorism from its soil after great sacrifices and now there are no terrorist safe havens here”.

Asif claimed that recent interactions between Pakistan and US has “cleared the air”, and added, “We look forward to confidence building to achieve the goal of peace in the region.”

He claimed that its counter-terrorism efforts have prevented “countless” militant attacks in the US and Europe and said that Pakistan and US have a lot of work to do in fighting negative perceptions.

He assured that Pakistan was is ready to cooperate with other countries to achieve peace and stability in Afghanistan. “The US should share timely intelligence and Pakistan will take action itself,” he added.

While speaking to media persons after the dialogue, Asif described the differences in Pakistan-US relations as “only misperceptions which are being put aside by continued dialogue”.

The News International, published from Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, reports that US ambassador has revealed that his country had put pressure on India to improve its relations with Pakistan. At the same time he asked Pakistan to show “equal diligence” in fighting all terrorist groups operating in the country, including Haqqani network and cautioned that bilateral relations are at a “crucial juncture.”

The Ambassador discussed US policy about Pakistan and Afghanistan. He said that Trump administration’s recently announced South Asia strategy seeks a secure and stable Afghanistan and looks to Pakistan for decisive action against the terrorists operating on its soil.

The US Ambassador was quoted saying, “We ask for equal diligence in decimating all the groups operating in Pakistan which threaten the region’s stability, including the Haqqani network. We seek a sustained and irreversible effort to achieve an aspiration and commitment that was made public by Pakistani officials themselves, and end to the use of Pakistan soil for attacks on its neighbours.” 

The daily further says that US and Afghan officials have alleged that Taliban and its Haqqani allies are directing the insurgency in Afghanistan from sanctuaries on Pakistani soil. The allegations have been at the centre of Islamabad’s tension with Kabul and Washington.

The US ambassador indicated favouring negotiated settlement with Taliban. He reiterated that US are committed to denying the Taliban a military victory in Afghanistan and urged Pakistan to assist in advancing “negotiated settlement” to the conflict.

“Pakistani leaders have made clear that they share our goals for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. It is now time to join in our efforts and create a context in which terrorist groups can no longer launch cross-border attacks and see no alternative to negotiations,” said the ambassador.

India and Pakistan held no bilateral formal talks since December 2015 despite agreeing to launch Comprehensive Dialogue due to string of terror attacks on military facilities. India blamed Pakistan based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) for the attacks on Indian Air Force base in Pathankot and its army personnel in Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

In April this year, Gopal Baglay, the spokesperson of external affairs ministry had indicated that India’s stand that “disputes with Pakistan must be resolved bilaterally and without third party mediation” remains unchanged.

He was responding to US envoy to UN Nikki Haley’s comments that her country would try and “find its place” in efforts to de-escalate strains between India and Pakistan.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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US freezes immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, India not in list

The United States suspends immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, excluding temporary visas, as part of stricter immigration measures.

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The United States has indefinitely suspended immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, targeting individuals seeking permanent residency based on nationality. The move, set to take effect on January 21, excludes tourist and temporary work visas, but is expected to have a significant impact on family-based immigration.

Reasons behind the visa freeze

The US State Department said the suspension aims to prevent the entry of foreign nationals likely to require government welfare and public benefits. “The Trump administration is bringing an end to the abuse of America’s immigration system by those who would extract wealth from the American people,” said State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott.

While the administration cites the risk of immigrants draining government resources, studies by the Cato Institute and other research groups suggest immigrants generally use fewer benefits than US-born citizens.

Who will not be affected

Temporary visas for tourists, business travelers, and sports fans remain unaffected. Exceptions are also allowed for individuals with dual nationality, a valid passport from a country not on the list, or travel serving an “America First” national interest. Approved visas that have not yet been printed must be refused according to the State Department.

Countries affected

The visa freeze covers nations across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. Some of the most affected countries include Pakistan, Bangladesh, Somalia, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Brazil, Nigeria, and Thailand.

Other countries on the full list include Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Myanmar, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, North Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.

Trump administration immigration record

The Trump administration has already imposed stricter vetting procedures over the past year, revoking over 100,000 visas and deporting more than 605,000 people, with 2.5 million others leaving voluntarily. Critics highlight that the policy disproportionately affects immigrants from non-European countries.

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Anything less than US control of Greenland unacceptable, says Trump

Donald Trump has said American control of Greenland is vital for national security and missile defence, reigniting debate over the Arctic island’s strategic importance.

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US president Donald Trump has said that American control over Greenland is essential for the United States’ national security, describing it as “vital” for a planned air and missile defence system known as the Golden Dome.

In a social media post on Wednesday, Trump claimed the United States “needs Greenland for the purpose of National Security” and asserted that the Arctic island plays a key role in the proposed defence architecture. He further said that NATO would become “far more formidable and effective” if Greenland were under US control, adding that “anything less than that is unacceptable.”

Comments ahead of US-Denmark talks

Trump’s remarks came just hours before senior Danish and Greenlandic officials were scheduled to hold talks at the White House with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The discussions are focused on Greenland and broader security issues in the Arctic region.

Responding to US concerns, Denmark’s defence minister Troels Lund Poulsen said the country was increasing its military presence in Greenland. He also noted that Copenhagen was in discussions with allies regarding a stronger NATO footprint in the Arctic.

NATO role and strategic concerns

Trump said NATO “should be leading the way” in building the proposed multi-layer missile defence system. He warned that if the alliance did not act, rival powers could step in, stating that Russia or China might otherwise take the lead.

The US president has repeatedly spoken about taking control of Greenland, a strategically located and sparsely populated island that is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. His renewed comments underline continued US interest in the Arctic’s strategic importance amid rising global security competition.

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Iran set to execute anti-Khamenei protester as Trump warns of strong US action

Iran is preparing to execute a protester linked to anti-regime demonstrations as US President Donald Trump warns of strong action amid a deadly crackdown.

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Iran is reportedly preparing to execute an anti-government protester on Wednesday, triggering sharp warnings from US President Donald Trump, who said Washington would take “very strong action” if the hanging goes ahead. The development comes amid a sweeping crackdown on nationwide protests that rights groups say has killed more than 2,000 people.

According to human rights groups, 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, arrested last week during protests in Karaj near Tehran, has been sentenced to death and faces execution without a proper trial. Iranian authorities have not publicly detailed the charges or judicial process in his case.

Trump urges Iranians to keep protesting

Trump has publicly encouraged Iranians to continue protesting, saying “help is on its way”, while warning Tehran against executing demonstrators. Speaking to media, the US president said the United States would respond forcefully if Iran began hanging protesters arrested during the unrest.

Earlier, Trump posted messages urging people in Iran to continue demonstrations and said he had cancelled meetings with Iranian officials until the killing of protesters stops. He did not specify what assistance the US might provide or which meetings had been cancelled.

Iranian prosecutors have reportedly threatened capital punishment under charges of “moharebeh”, or waging war against God, for some detainees linked to the protests.

Rising death toll and reports from morgues

Rights groups say the crackdown has been one of the deadliest in recent years. According to activist organisations, the death toll has crossed 2,500, including civilians and members of the security forces. Iranian officials, however, have blamed what they described as “terrorists” for the deaths and have not provided a clear breakdown.

Videos circulating on social media show bodies lined up at the Kahrizak mortuary near Tehran, wrapped in black bags, as families search for missing relatives. Authorities have declared national mourning for security personnel killed during the unrest and announced mass funeral ceremonies in the capital.

Internet blackout and Starlink access

Iran has imposed a widespread internet blackout, now extending beyond five days, limiting communication and information flow. Amid the restrictions, SpaceX has reportedly waived subscription fees for its Starlink satellite service in Iran, allowing users with receivers to access the internet without payment, according to groups working to restore connectivity.

Some international phone links were partially restored, but reports indicate services remain unstable and limited.

Political tensions and international reaction

Iranian leaders have insisted that control has been restored following days of protests described as one of the biggest challenges to the clerical leadership since the 1979 revolution. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has hailed pro-government rallies as evidence that the protest movement has failed.

Senior Iranian officials have accused Trump and Israeli leadership of responsibility for violence in Iran. Meanwhile, Western leaders have condemned the use of force against protesters, with some warning that sustained repression could further destabilise the country.

Analysts note that while the protests represent a serious challenge to Iran’s leadership, the government retains powerful security and enforcement mechanisms, making the outcome uncertain.

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