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WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 (UPI) -- President-elect Donald Trump lauded Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as a "terrific guy" and vowed "to play any role" to address long-standing problems, the country's government said. Pakistan's Press Information Department said Trump told Sharif Wednesday he has a "very good reputation" and felt like he was talking "to a person I have known for long." Trump invited Sharif to call him at any time, even before the Jan. 20 inauguration.
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"Your country is amazing with tremendous opportunities. Pakistanis are one of the most intelligent people," the Pakistani government recounted Trump as saying. "I am ready and willing to play any role that you want me to play to address and find solutions to the outstanding problems. It will be an honor and I will personally do it."
Trump's transition team said the men had a "productive conversation" that could lead to a "strong working relationship."
The comments are being seen as a departure from Trump's criticisms of the country, including in 2012 when he launched a series of tweets saying, "Pakistan is not our friend. We've given them billions and billions of dollars, and what did we get? Betrayal and disrespect, and much worse."
There are also fears Trump is complicating relations between India and Pakistan by seeming to take sides. India has long blamed neighboring Pakistan for sponsoring terrorism. Just recently, several Indian soldiers were injured and killed in a clash with Pakistani military in the disputed border region of Kashmir and Jammu.
