New Delhi: US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis gave out a strong message to Pakistan asking it to support the peace process in South Asia by backing the efforts of the United Nations, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with all the others who are striving towards it. Mattis’ statement came as a response to a question from reporters about the letter written by US President Donald Trump to Pakistan PM Imran Khan seeking the country’s support to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table.

“It's time for everyone to get on board, support the United Nations; support Prime Minister Modi's, (Afghan) President (Ashraf) Ghani and all those who are trying to maintain peace and make for a better world here,” PTI quoted Mattis as saying.

He said that Pakistan must take on a substantive role in peace talks with the Taliban if the war in neighbouring Afghanistan is to be ended.

"We're looking for every responsible nation to support peace in the sub-continent and across this war in Afghanistan that's gone on now for 40 years," he told reporters at the Pentagon on Monday as he welcomed Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for talks.
Also Read:  Trump writes to Imran Khan; seeks help in bringing Taliban to negotiating table 

Trump, in his letter addressed to Khan, stated that his most important regional priority was achieving a negotiated settlement of the Afghan war. In this regard, he has sought Pakistan's support and facilitation.

Since taking office, Trump has been very critical of Pakistan's lax attitude towards combatting terrorism.  Last month Trump had defended the suspension of USD 300 million in military aid to Islamabad for not doing enough against terror groups like the Haqqani Network and the Taliban active on its soil. He said Pakistan had never done anything for the US.

Ties between Pakistan and US strained last year whenTrump had lambasted Pakistan for providing safe havens to "agents of chaos" that kill Americans in Afghanistan, while he was announcing his Afghanistan and South Asia policy.