Historic Oval Office meeting

Washington D.C. | US President Donald Trump on Thursday hosted Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House, underscoring a warming of ties between Washington and Islamabad. The Oval Office meeting, closed to the press, marked Sharif’s first formal visit to meet a sitting US president.

Trump, speaking to reporters ahead of the session, joked about the timing, saying, “They may be in this room or somewhere in the beautiful Oval Office, as we are late.” He praised both leaders as “great leaders” and welcomed them warmly, noting their presence in the room might already be underway.

Bilateral discussions and recent interactions

The talks followed a busy week for Sharif, who had joined leaders from eight Arab and Muslim nations at a UN General Assembly side meeting focused on ending the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.

Relations between Washington and Islamabad have improved notably after Pakistan credited Trump with mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan in May, though India has disputed the US role. Trump had previously hosted Munir at the White House in June, discussing trade, economic development, and even cryptocurrency. Islamabad later nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his perceived role in the ceasefire.

A trade deal between the US and Pakistan was finalised in July, allowing Washington to assist in developing Pakistan’s untapped oil reserves while lowering tariffs on exports. In August, Munir returned to Washington, resulting in a USD 500 million US investment aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s critical minerals sector.

Strategic implications

Experts suggest the series of meetings and trade agreements highlights a shift in US-Pakistan relations, even as ties with India have shown signs of strain. Trump’s engagement with Pakistan is widely seen as part of his broader strategy to maintain influence in South Asia, particularly in light of India’s increased purchases of Russian oil and shifting trade policies.

The White House meeting also reinforced Pakistan’s effort to strengthen diplomatic and economic relations with the US, building on both Sharif’s political leadership and the military’s strategic role.

Conclusion

The Oval Office session between Trump, Sharif, and Munir signals a new chapter in US-Pakistan ties, with enhanced trade cooperation and strategic dialogue. Observers view these developments as indicative of Islamabad’s increasing reliance on Washington to bolster economic and diplomatic standing in the region