US President Donald Trump will host Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the White House Oval Office today, marking a key step in bolstering bilateral relations amid Sharif's ongoing US visit for the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The meeting, scheduled for 4:30 pm Washington time, comes after Sharif attended UNGA sessions, a multilateral summit of Muslim-majority nations, and side discussions with heads of international financial institutions. Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan's Army Chief, is expected to accompany Sharif, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio joining Trump. The State Radio of Pakistan confirmed the leaders will cover matters of mutual interest, including the regional and global situation.
This encounter follows a July 31 trade agreement, under which the US imposed a 19% tariff on Pakistani goods, while a similar deal with India remains pending. A senior State Department official described US-Pakistan ties as gradually warming in Trump's second term, highlighting an independent relationship focused on counterterrorism, economic ties, and recent US investments in Pakistan's mineral sector and petroleum exploration interests.
Earlier this year, Munir visited the White House—the first such trip—underscoring military engagement. The US is also reviewing a defense pact between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Sharif recently joined Trump in a September 23 multilateral meeting with Muslim leaders on Israel's Gaza assault and US peace proposals. Meanwhile, US-India relations face strains from visa issues, tariffs, and Trump's May 2025 mediation of an India-Pakistan ceasefire after cross-border clashes. Pakistan has endorsed Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for those efforts.
The meeting reflects evolving dynamics, with Pakistan aligning closer to Washington on security and economics.
