Trump strengthens ties with Pakistan, hosts Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif, Asim Munir amid US–India tensions
PTC Web Desk: US President Donald Trump welcomed Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to the White House on Thursday, pointing towards the recent warming of ties between the two countries. Sharif arrived at the West Executive Avenue entrance alongside Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and was received by senior administration officials.
The Oval Office meeting, closed to the press, marked Sharif’s first visit with a sitting US president. For Pakistan, it was a historic occasion, as no Prime Minister had entered the Oval Office since Imran Khan in July 2019. Discussions were expected to cover bilateral relations, trade, regional security, and global challenges.
Sharif’s visit followed a busy week in the United States, including a meeting with leaders from eight Arab and Muslim nations at the UN General Assembly to discuss efforts to end the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.
The Pakistani leadership has actively sought to strengthen ties with Trump, who maintains a close relationship with Pakistan’s military. Earlier this year, Trump hosted Munir for lunch at the White House. Following the meeting, Munir nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his role in mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan in May.
Trump publicly praised both Sharif and Munir as “great leaders” ahead of the meeting. Speaking to reporters, he said, “We have a great leader coming, the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Field Marshal. Both are great people.”
The deepening US-Pakistan relationship comes as Trump’s ties with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi show signs of strain. The shift follows India’s increased imports of Russian oil after the 2022 Ukraine invasion. In response, Trump raised tariffs on Indian goods by up to 50 percent, citing an effort to reduce Russia’s wartime revenue.
Despite this, Trump confirmed that trade discussions with India continue. “I look forward to speaking with my very good friend, Prime Minister Modi, in the upcoming weeks,” he wrote on Truth Social. “I am confident we can reach a successful conclusion for both of our countries.”
- With inputs from agencies
