Washington: Inside the Oval Office, President Donald Trump raised his trademark thumbs-up as photographers clicked away. Across from him sat Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, the country’s army chief.
For more than an hour before the doors opened, the world’s media had been pressing White House officials for details of what would unfold. When the two sides finally emerged, Islamabad described the exchange as “warm and cordial,” signalling a notable warming of ties.
Optics and timing
The meeting began later than scheduled, with Trump lingering to sign executive orders before greeting his guests. Photographs later showed Sharif and Munir sitting in the Oval Office’s gold-gilded chairs as Trump wrapped up prior business. Secretary of State Marco Rubio joined shortly after, greeting both leaders warmly.
The meeting lasted around 80 minutes — notably longer than many of Trump’s Oval Office bilateral sessions, which are often limited to brief photo opportunities. Officials described the tone as substantive, if carefully managed.
A first under Trump’s second term
This was the first formal White House meeting between Trump and Shehbaz Sharif, nearly six years after former prime minister Imran Khan’s high-profile Oval Office appearance in 2019. Earlier this year, Trump also received Field Marshal Munir separately, underscoring Washington’s recognition of Pakistan’s counter terrorism role.
US officials in New York told Pakistani media that ties were “warming” in Trump’s second term, independent of Washington’s often-strained relationship with India. They cited ongoing American investment in Pakistan’s mineral and energy sectors.
“A man of peace” — Sharif’s praise for Trump
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Shehbaz Sharif began the talks by calling Donald Trump a “man of peace” engaged in sincere efforts to end conflicts worldwide. He praised the US leader’s “bold, courageous and decisive leadership” which, he argued, had helped broker a ceasefire between Pakistan and India earlier this year, “averting a major catastrophe in South Asia.”
On the Middle East, Sharif lauded Trump’s initiative in convening Muslim leaders in New York earlier this week to discuss ways to end the war in Gaza. Islamabad described the effort as a “comprehensive exchange of views” aimed at restoring peace in Gaza and the West Bank.
Trade arrangements and investment pitch
Economics featured prominently in the conversation. The Pakistani leader thanked Trump for a tariff arrangement concluded earlier this year, portraying it as evidence of Washington’s willingness to stabilise trade ties. Recalling what he termed the “longstanding partnership” between the two countries, Sharif expressed confidence that relations under Trump’s leadership would “be further strengthened to the mutual benefit of both sides.”
He also invited American businesses, urging them to invest in Pakistan’s agriculture, IT, mining, and energy sectors — a sign of Islamabad’s push to draw in foreign capital amid domestic economic pressures.
Security and counter-terrorism
Beyond trade, the two delegations also examined regional security. Counter-terrorism cooperation was highlighted, with Sharif thanking Trump for his public acknowledgement of Pakistan’s role in combating terrorism.
The prime minister stressed the importance of expanding intelligence and security collaboration to meet evolving threats in South Asia and beyond.
Before the talks concluded, Sharif extended a formal invitation for Trump to visit Pakistan “at his convenience,” describing it as a gesture of goodwill designed to cement personal ties.
Wider diplomatic agenda
Islamabad has publicly endorsed Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in easing South Asian tensions, while also backing international calls for an end to Israeli bombardments in Gaza. During his visit to the UN General Assembly, Sharif joined Trump and other Muslim leaders in discussions on American peace proposals for the Middle East.
