PM Shehbaz to meet President Trump at White House Today

Washington/Islamabad (Web Desk): US President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the White House on Thursday, just weeks after the two countries finalized a trade agreement. The meeting is set for 4:30 PM EST (1:30 AM PST on Friday), though neither side has disclosed the official agenda.

There is also no confirmation regarding the delegation accompanying Prime Minister Shehbaz during the talks. The meeting will be held behind closed doors, with no media access allowed. As a result, the public and press will have to rely on official statements issued by both governments. Sources suggest that regional and global issues—particularly developments in the Middle East—are likely to be discussed.

Earlier in the day, President Trump is expected to host Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as the two leaders aim to advance arms and trade agreements that could ease long-standing diplomatic tensions between Washington and Ankara.

The meeting between Trump and Shehbaz Sharif marks a warming of relations between the US and Pakistan. Under the Trump administration, Washington has increasingly engaged with Islamabad after years of leaning heavily toward India as a counterbalance to China’s growing influence in Asia.

However, US-India relations have faced several challenges during Trump’s presidency. Issues such as increased tariffs on Indian goods, restrictions on H1-B visas for Indian professionals, and Trump's controversial claim that he brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan in May—following a period of heightened tensions—have strained bilateral ties.

In contrast, the US-Pakistan relationship has recently taken a positive turn. On July 31, the two countries announced a trade agreement that includes a 19% tariff rate imposed by the United States. Notably, Trump has yet to secure a similar trade deal with India.

Observers have pointed out that, in light of its uneasy ties with Washington, New Delhi has been recalibrating its relations with China—possibly as a strategic hedge.