WASHINGTON/NEW YORK — U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir to the Oval Office on Thursday, marking the first high-level bilateral meeting between the two governments since Trump’s return to the White House.
The rare joint appearance by Pakistan’s civilian and military leaders underscored the significance of the visit. U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio also joined the talks, which lasted over 80 minutes. Photographs released by the Prime Minister’s Office showed Trump giving his trademark thumbs-up alongside Sharif and Munir.
The meeting, closed to the press, was delayed slightly as Trump signed executive orders beforehand. In remarks to reporters earlier, Trump praised both visitors as “great leaders” and said he looked forward to “a strong discussion.”
Strengthening Engagement
According to U.S. and Pakistani officials, the talks focused on matters of mutual interest, including counterterrorism, trade, and regional security. The visit comes as Sharif attends the 80th United Nations General Assembly session in New York, where he has also met leaders of financial institutions and Muslim-majority countries.
A senior U.S. State Department official described Washington–Islamabad relations as “gradually warming up” under Trump’s second term, pointing to new American investments in Pakistan’s mineral sector and interest in petroleum exploration. “We have an independent relationship with Pakistan,” the official said, stressing it was not defined by U.S. ties with India.
Regional Backdrop
The meeting occurs against shifting geopolitical dynamics. U.S. relations with India have been strained in recent months over tariffs, visa restrictions, and Trump’s claim of personally brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan in May. Analysts say New Delhi is recalibrating its foreign policy, even as Washington insists it still views India as a “good friend and partner.”
Islamabad has meanwhile publicly supported Trump’s nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in easing South Asian tensions, even as Pakistan has criticized Israel’s ongoing operations in Gaza.
Sharif Meets Bangladesh’s Yunus
Before arriving in Washington, Sharif met Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus in New York. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to building “constructive and forward-looking ties” and discussed cooperation in trade, connectivity, and cultural exchange. Yunus welcomed Pakistan’s initiative to deepen bilateral engagement.
Sharif is expected to return to New York to deliver Pakistan’s address to the UNGA on Friday.