Washington D.C. | In a significant diplomatic engagement, US President Donald Trump welcomed Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to the White House on Thursday, reflecting a thaw in ties between the two nations. Sharif’s visit marked the first time a Pakistani prime minister entered the Oval Office since Imran Khan’s visit in July 2019. Accompanying Sharif was Pakistan’s powerful army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir.
The Oval Office session was closed to the press. Senior administration officials received Sharif at the West Executive Avenue entrance just before 5 pm local time. This meeting covered a wide range of topics, including bilateral relations, trade, regional security, and global challenges.
Strengthening US-Pakistan relations
The visit comes at a time when Sharif has actively engaged with global leaders, including participation in a joint meeting with Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, alongside leaders from eight Arab and Muslim nations to discuss ending the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.
Trump publicly praised both Sharif and Munir, calling them “great leaders” and highlighting the “bonhomie” between the US administration and Pakistan’s leadership. This marks a notable shift in relations, considering Trump’s earlier criticisms of Pakistan as a “safe haven” for terrorists and alleged repeated deception of the United States.
Trade and strategic cooperation
Washington and Islamabad have moved closer economically and strategically. In July, the two countries reached a trade agreement facilitating US involvement in developing Pakistan’s untapped oil reserves while reducing tariffs on Pakistani exports. Sharif’s endorsement of Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, following US-mediated ceasefire talks between India and Pakistan in May, further strengthened bilateral goodwill.
Evolving South Asia dynamics
The warming of US-Pakistan ties comes as Trump’s relations with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi show signs of strain, partly due to India’s increased purchases of Russian oil post the 2022 Ukraine invasion. Trump responded by raising tariffs on Indian goods by up to 50 percent last month, aiming to indirectly curb Russia’s wartime revenue.
Despite the deepening ties with Islamabad, Trump confirmed that trade negotiations with New Delhi would continue, stating on Truth Social, “I look forward to speaking with my very good friend, Prime Minister Modi, in the upcoming weeks. I feel certain that there will be no difficulty in coming to a successful conclusion for both of our Great Countries!”
Conclusion
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to the White House represents a landmark moment in US-Pakistan relations, highlighting shared strategic interests and enhanced economic cooperation. The meeting also underscores evolving geopolitical dynamics in South Asia, with Washington balancing its engagement with Pakistan and India amid regional complexities.