- The American-Pakistani links have warmed up under Trump.
- Trump has already welcomed the Marshal Asim Munir.
- American links with India have been tested since Trump took office.
US President Donald Trump is expected to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the White House on Thursday, Trump administration said Reuters Wednesday, with the coming meeting for weeks after the two countries agreed with a trade agreement.
The Prime Minister and the President should organize detailed talks on global and regional issues, the Marshal Asim Munnir also likely to join the meeting.
The American-Pakistani links have warned in recent months under Trump after Washington considered for years the rivals of Pakistan, India as a counter-influence of China in Asia.
Washington’s relations with New Delhi were tested under the Republican leader on issues such as Visa’s obstacles for Indians, high rate rates imposed by Trump on India goods and Trump’s repeated statements that he negotiated a cease-fire in India-Pakistan in May after the South Asian neighbors engaged in their latest hostilities.
The United States and Pakistan announced a trade agreement on July 31 with a 19% rate rate imposed by Washington. Trump has not yet concluded a trade agreement with India.
Officials and analysts noted that after tensions with Washington, New Delhi recalibrates relationships with China as a cover.
Trump welcomed the army chief, Marshal, Marshal Asim Munir, earlier this year, the first time that American president welcomed the Pakistani army – widely considered the most powerful figure in the country – in the White House, not accompanied by senior Pakistani civilian officials.
“We are working on a certain number of problems with regard to counter-terrorism, with regard to economic and commercial ties,” said a state department in a briefing on Tuesday when he was questioned about Pakistan.
“And therefore the president remains focused on the progress of American interests in the region, which includes engaging with Pakistan and their government leaders,” said the official.
Asked about friction with India, the manager said Trump believed that he was frank about the frustrations in the ties, but the relationship was strong. Washington considered New Delhi as a good friend and partner and thought that their relationship would define the 21st century, said the official.
They added that Washington was working on planning a summit in the Quadricte group in India, Australia, Japan and the United States that India was to have in November. It would happen, “if not this year, at the beginning of next year,” said the official.
Pakistan supported Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in the absorbing of tensions between India and Pakistan, although Islamabad condemned the bombing of Israel to Gaza, Qatar and Iran.
Shehbaz was part of a meeting that Trump had on Tuesday with leaders from many Muslim majority countries, where the American president discussed the Israeli assault against Gaza.
Washington says that the United States has shared peace proposals with leaders of these countries at the meeting held on the sidelines of the United Nations Annual General Assembly.
