Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his top Army official are likely to meet with US President Donald Trump next week. The interaction will take place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly summit in New York and comes amid heightened tensions with neighbouring India. It also comes mere months after the POTUS hosted Field Marshal Asim Munir for an unprecedented White House meeting.
Local media reports suggest that the two leaders will discuss a wide range of topics including India-Pakistan ties, the devastating floods in Pakistan, and fallout from an Israeli strike on Qatar. The interaction was reportedly facilitated with consultation and backing from Qatar and Saudi Arabia and preparations remain underway. Neither the White House nor the Pakistani government has officially confirmed the upcoming meeting — tentatively scheduled for September 25.
Trump, Pakistan and India
Ties between India and the US have come under strain in recent weeks as Trump imposed a 50% tariff over continued purchase of Russian oil. Trump has also worked to improve ties with Russia — inviting Munir for lunch at the White House and announcing a trade deal to develop oil reserves. He had also left many incensed towards the end of July after suggesting that Islamabad could one day sell oil to its neighbour.
The President has also claimed on dozens of occasions that he singlehandedly averted a nuclear war between India and Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. Repeated clarifications from New Delhi denying his role have left Trump undaunted as he doggedly pursues a Nobel Peace Prize. Pakistan has also officially stated that Donald Trump did not have any role in Operation Sindoor — but announced plans to nominate the Republican leader for the Nobel in June.
China opens secret military complex for Pakistan President
Ties between China and Pakistan have also strengthened in recent days — with President Asif Ali Zardari getting a rare tour of a secret military complex in the other country. He is the first foreign head of state to tour the sprawling compound and also received a special briefing on its most-advanced military hardware. Zardari was reportedly briefed on Aviation Industry Corporation of China’s advanced capabilities, including the J-10 fighter jet, the co-production of the JF-17 Thunder with Pakistan, as well as progress in the J-20 stealth 5th-generation fighter aircraft.