Shehbaz Sharif, Trump Hold High-Stakes White House Talks
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s much-awaited meeting with US President Donald Trump kicked off at the White House on Thursday, marking a major reset in Pakistan-US ties after years of uncertainty.
This is the first official one-on-one between the two leaders — coming six years after former premier Imran Khan’s famous Oval Office encounter with Trump in 2019.
A Red-Carpet Welcome in Washington
PM Shehbaz landed in Washington earlier in the day, where he was received with full protocol at Andrews Airbase. Senior US Air Force officials rolled out the red carpet for the Pakistani delegation.
Accompanying the prime minister is Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, reflecting the importance Islamabad attaches to its evolving security partnership with Washington. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is also expected to join the meeting.
Speaking to reporters beforehand, President Trump praised the Pakistani leadership, calling both Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Munir “great guys.”
What’s on the Agenda?
Although the meeting is being held behind closed doors — a rare move for Trump, who usually allows cameras inside the Oval Office — the two sides are expected to discuss:
Regional security and counterterrorism
Pakistan’s economic reforms and US investments
Shifting US-India dynamics amid trade and diplomatic tensions
Middle East peace efforts, particularly the Gaza crisis
The prime minister’s visit coincides with the 80th UN General Assembly session in New York, where he has already addressed summits and met global financial leaders.
US-Pakistan Relations: A Gradual Thaw
According to senior US officials, Washington-Islamabad ties are “gradually warming up” under Trump’s second term. While the US once leaned heavily on India as a counterweight to China, recent trade disputes and visa issues have strained Washington-New Delhi relations.
“We have an independent relationship with Pakistan,” a State Department official told reporters, pointing to fresh American investments in Pakistan’s mineral and petroleum sectors.
Analysts note that Pakistan’s July trade deal with the US — which saw a 19% tariff on Pakistani exports — is still under review, while Trump has not yet finalised a similar pact with India.
Earlier this year, Trump also hosted Field Marshal Munir at the White House in a rare military-only meeting, highlighting the central role of Pakistan’s armed forces in shaping bilateral policy.
A Broader Diplomatic Push
Shehbaz Sharif’s White House talks come as Islamabad publicly supports Trump’s nomination for a Nobel Peace Prize over his mediation efforts in South Asia. At the same time, Pakistan has joined other Muslim nations in strongly condemning Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.
On Tuesday, the prime minister also joined Trump at a Muslim leaders’ summit on the sidelines of UNGA, where peace proposals for the Middle East were discussed.
Strengthening Regional Bonds
Before arriving in Washington, Shehbaz Sharif met Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus in New York. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to boost trade, connectivity, and cultural ties for regional peace and prosperity.