KABUL - The Trump administration may finalise its policy on Afghanistan ahead of next month’s G-7 summit in Italy, a former US ambassador says.
Zalmay Khalilzad, who served as US ambassador to Afghanistan, said in an interview on Sunday that the Trump team was expected to conclude negotiations on the Afghan policy by mid-May.
President Donald Trump will attend the meeting of the seven leading industrialised economies in Taormina, Sicily, next month.
Khalilzad told the BBC’s Pashto Service: “The ongoing discussions will conclude by May 15, when Italy will host the G-7 meeting, which will also be attended by President Trump…”
He stressed the need for comprehensive consultations on America’s new Afghan strategy. Afghanistan is a complex issue, with domestic, international and regional aspects, according to the ex-envoy. 
Being consulted by the Trump team, Khalilzad believed the new US policy on Afghanistan might be different. America’s goal was to make Afghanistan self-reliant and prevent it becoming a terror safe haven again.  (Pajhwok)