Donald Trump’s pick for defence secretary has said he will work to reduce the trust deficit between the United States and Pakistan if confirmed for the cabinet slot.“Our relationship with Pakistan, including our military-to-military relationship, has had highs and lows. We have long faced a lack of trust within the Pakistani military and government about our goals in the region,” retired Marine Corps General James Mattis said at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Forces Committee on Thursday.“If confirmed, I will work to build the trust that we need for an effective partnership,” he said when asked what changes he would recommend for US ties with Pakistan.Asked if he supports conditioning US aid to Pakistan on the latter’s cooperation in areas of mutual interest, Mattis pointed out that “conditioning our security assistance has a mixed history in the case of Pakistan.”“For years, Pakistan has battled internally-focused extremist organisations within its borders and with our help. In a sign of its commitment, its military has suffered significant casualties in this counterinsurgency effort,” he acknowledged.However, he added that he will ‘review all options’ in this regard. “In particular, we should be aware of any behavior that supports Pakistan-based militant groups.”“I will work with the State Department and the Congress to incentivize Pakistan’s cooperation on issues critical to our interests and the region’s security, with a focus on Pakistan’s need to expel or neutralise externally-focused militant groups that operate within its borders.”Published in The Express Tribune, January 15, 2017.