‘Where’re The Specifics?’ Twitter Reacts to Trump’s Afghan Speech

In his address, Trump said, “India makes billions of dollars in trade from US & must do more in Afghanistan.”

US President Donald Trump outlined the country's new Afghanistan policy in a prime-time speech on Monday, where he also spoke about India and Pakistan.

Addressing the nation in a prime-time speech at a military base near Washington, Trump said his new approach was aimed at preventing Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for Islamist militants bent on attacking the United States.

Emphasising on strengthening strategic ties with India, he said, "India makes billions of dollars in trade from US and must do more in Afghanistan."

Meanwhile, he slammed Pakistan for giving "safe heaven to agents of chaos, violence and terror".

As expected, the speech - which marked a reversal of his earlier stance on Afghanistan (which advocated troop withdrawal in the country) - prompted a slew of reactions on social media, many of which were critical of Trump.

Also Read: Trump Nice to India, Tough on Pak in Talking US’ Afghanistan Plan

If Trump wants India to partner the US in Afghanistan, snarky msgs on "making billions of dollars" not the way to go. India already helps Af

— Suhasini Haidar (@suhasinih) August 22, 2017

Abdul Basit, high commissioner of Pakistan to India, was critical of Trump’s call for greater involvement of India in Afghanistan.

Asking for more India's involvement in Afghanistan is a sure recipe for more disaster. 1/2

— Abdul Basit (@abasitpak1) August 22, 2017

US is either clueless or deliberately complicating matters in Afghanistan. 2/2

— Abdul Basit (@abasitpak1) August 22, 2017

3 prerequisites for any Trump policy announcement (e.g. Afghanistan):
1. Never admit Obama did anything right.
2. Say 'win.'
3. No numbers.

— Glenn Thrush (@GlennThrush) August 22, 2017

You can't announce a strategy that relies on complicated diplomacy with Pakistan/India/Afghanistan when you're firing all the diplomats.

— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) August 22, 2017

Hey #MAGA, Trump said he's going to have India help US in Afghanistan. But he fired US ambassador months ago & still hasn't appointed one.

— John Oberlin (@OMGno2trump) August 22, 2017

Casual reminder that Afghanistan has bombed and attacked the US exactly zero times.

— d ford (@derekrford) August 22, 2017

Trump on Afghanistan strategy: "we will not talk about numbers of troops." (Don't the American people deserve to know how many we send?)

— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) August 22, 2017

What trump pretty much said: American troops are staying in Afghanistan, no specifics, adding more troops, no specifics on numbers. End.

— Ricky Davila (@TheRickyDavila) August 22, 2017

Afghan Envoy Welcomes Trump’s Speech

After Trump’s address, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in a statement:

We stand ready to support peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban without preconditions.

Rex Tillerson, US Secretary of State

Meanwhile, the speech was welcomed Afghanistan's envoy to US Hamdullah Mohib, who referred to it as "10 out of 10".

He was quoted by Fox News as saying:

We heard exactly what we needed to. The focus on the numbers has taken away the real focus on what should have been: what conditions are required and what kind of support is necessary.

(With inputs from Reuters)

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