WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is holding a rare meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House to discuss a broad range of issues, Geo News reported.
The meeting will remain closed to the press.
US-Pakistan ties have warmed in recent months under Trump after Washington had for years viewed Pakistan’s rival India as a counter to China’s influence in Asia.
Washington’s relations with New Delhi have been tested under the Republican leader over issues such as visa hurdles for Indians, high tariff rates imposed by Trump on goods from India, and Trump’s repeated claims that he brokered an India-Pakistan ceasefire in May after the South Asian neighbours engaged in their latest hostilities.
India’s attacks prompted Pakistan to launch Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos after downing six Indian Air Force fighter jets, including three Rafales, in response to Indian unprovoked aggression. The conflict eventually ended via a US-brokered ceasefire for which Pakistan has credited President Trump, while also nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Since then, Islamabad and Washington have been engaged with each other in high-level interactions between both civil and military leadership and have also finalised a much-hyped trade deal, reflecting improving relations between the two countries.
The United States and Pakistan announced a trade deal on July 31, with a 19% tariff rate imposed by Washington, while a trade deal with India is yet to be reached.
Officials and analysts have noted that after tensions with Washington, New Delhi is recalibrating relations with China as a hedge.
Trump welcomed army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir earlier this year, the first time a US president hosted the head of Pakistan’s army — widely regarded as the most powerful figure in the country — at the White House, unaccompanied by senior Pakistani civilian officials.
“We’re working through a number of issues when it comes to counter-terrorism, when it comes to economic and trade ties,” a senior State Department official told reporters in a briefing on Tuesday when asked about Pakistan.
“And so the president remains focused on advancing US interests in the region, which includes engaging with Pakistan and their government leaders,” the official said.
