US–Pakistan relations: Trump meets Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Washington

Washington: President Donald Trump hosted Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the White House on Thursday, underscoring improving ties between the United States and the South Asian nuclear power.

Sharif was among senior officials from eight Arab or Muslim nations who also met Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York this week to discuss efforts to end the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

Relations between Washington and Islamabad have warmed as Trump’s ties with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have cooled. The US president, who counted Modi among his closest allies in his first term, has been critical of India’s purchases of discounted Russian oil since Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. In response, Trump has sharply raised tariffs on Indian imports.

The United States and Pakistan signed a trade agreement in July aimed at developing Pakistan’s untapped oil reserves and reducing tariffs on Pakistani exports.

Sharif arrived at the White House shortly before 5 pm, as Trump was signing executive orders and speaking with reporters. The leaders’ meeting was closed to the media. Pakistan’s delegation left at 6.18 pm.

Sharif has endeared himself to Trump by endorsing him for a Nobel Peace Prize, citing the administration’s role in easing tensions between India and Pakistan. The two rivals agreed to a ceasefire in May following US-brokered talks, halting the most serious military confrontation in decades. Modi, however, has declined to credit Trump for the deal.

The truce followed weeks of cross-border clashes involving missiles and drones, sparked by an attack on tourists that India blamed on Pakistan. Islamabad has denied responsibility.

Pakistan has broken with Washington on Trump’s decision to strike three Iranian nuclear facilities in June, calling the action a “serious violation of international law” and the authority of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Modi was recently photographed alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping at a security summit in Tianjin, China, drawing a sarcastic response from Trump.

Looks like we've lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest, China," Trump wrote. "May they have a long and prosperous future together!"

Despite the tensions, Trump has signalled a softer line with India in recent days. Last week, he said negotiations were continuing to resolve trade disputes, adding that he expected a “successful conclusion for both of our great countries.”

"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!"

Trump hit India with tariffs up to 50 per cent last month after imposing an additional 25 per cent tariff on the country related to its purchases of Russian oil, which helps Moscow pay for its war in Ukraine.

Trump last hosted Modi at the White House in February.