Trump Hosts Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif as US-Pakistan Relations Warm Amid India Tensions

US President Donald Trump with Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif. (File)

Washington:

President Donald Trump welcomed Pakistan's prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, to the White House for discussions on Thursday, signaling an improving relationship between the United States and the South Asian nuclear power.

Sharif was one of eight officials from Arab or Muslim nations who met with Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly this week to discuss strategies for ending the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.

Relations between the US and Pakistan have strengthened as Trump's once-close relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become strained over India's increased purchases of discounted Russian oil following Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. India and Pakistan remain neighboring rivals with a complex history.

Trump has significantly increased tariffs on India for these oil purchases as part of an effort to apply indirect economic pressure on Moscow.

Concurrently, the US and Pakistan reached a trade agreement in July that is expected to facilitate American assistance in developing Pakistan's largely untapped oil reserves while reducing tariffs for Islamabad.

Sharif arrived at the White House shortly before 5 p.m. while Trump was signing executive orders and speaking with reporters. The meeting between the leaders was closed to media coverage, with the Pakistani delegation departing at 6:18 p.m.

Sharif has gained favor with Trump after publicly endorsing him for a Nobel Peace Prize for his administration's efforts in reducing tensions between Pakistan and India. The two nuclear-armed rivals agreed to a ceasefire in May following US-led negotiations to end their most serious military confrontation in decades.

Unlike Sharif, PM Modi has refused to acknowledge Trump's attempts to claim credit for facilitating the ceasefire.

The agreement came after weeks of border clashes, missile strikes, and drone attacks. The hostilities were triggered by an attack on tourists that India attributes to Pakistan, an accusation Pakistan denies.

Pakistan did diverge from Trump regarding his decision to strike three Iranian nuclear facilities in June. Pakistan stated that the attack "constituted a serious violation of international law" and the standing of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

PM Modi was recently photographed with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping during a security summit in Tianjin, northern China, prompting Trump to comment on social media.

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

However, Trump has recently adopted a more conciliatory tone toward Modi.

Last week, Trump expressed optimism about resolving trade issues with India.

"I am pleased to announce that India, and the United States of America, are continuing negotiations to address the Trade Barriers between our two Nations," Trump stated on Truth Social.

"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 imposed tariffs of up to 50% on India last month, following an additional 25% tariff related to India's purchases of Russian oil, which helps fund Moscow's war in Ukraine.

Trump had previously hosted PM Modi for White House talks in February.