Trump To Host Pakistani PM Sharif Today At White House: Report

<p>US President Donald Trump is set to welcome Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to the White House on Thursday, a senior Trump administration official told Reuters. The high-profile meeting comes just weeks after Washington and Islamabad finalized a landmark trade deal, highlighting a notable shift in relations between the two nations.</p>
<p>Under Trump, US-Pakistan ties appear to be entering a new era. Historically, American strategy in South Asia has leaned toward India, largely as a counterbalance to China. However, recent friction with New Delhi, over tariffs, visa issues, and Trump&rsquo;s controversial role in attempting to mediate a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, has complicated that approach.</p>
<p>The July 31 trade agreement, which set a 19% tariff rate on select US imports, marked a turning point in economic engagement with Pakistan. In contrast, a similar trade deal with India remains stalled, prompting analysts to suggest that New Delhi may now rethink its approach to Beijing.</p>
<p>Trump has repeatedly signaled the importance of strengthening ties with Pakistan. Sharif also participated in a Tuesday meeting with Trump and leaders from Muslim-majority countries on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, where discussions focused on proposals to address Israel&rsquo;s military actions in Gaza.</p>
<p>Earlier this year, Trump hosted Pakistani Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House, a rare engagement for a US president with a Pakistani military leader without senior civilian officials present.</p>
<p>Pakistan, meanwhile, has openly endorsed Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to ease India-Pakistan tensions. At the same time, Islamabad has criticized Washington&rsquo;s backing of Israel amid the ongoing Gaza conflict, reflecting the complex balancing act in its foreign policy.</p>
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