PM Shehbaz Sharif likely to meet US President Trump on the UNGA sidelines
During the visit, the army chief met Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine
WASHINGTON ( WEB NEWS )
In what is being viewed as a significant diplomatic development for Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is likely to hold a meeting with United States President Donald Trump on September 25, sources said on Tuesday.
The insiders said that the meeting, expected on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, will also be attended by Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir.
Pakistan-India situation is also likely to be discussed during the high-level meeting, the sources added.
Diplomatic sources told this correspondent that Riyadh and Doha are supportive of this Shehbaz-Trump meeting. However, Pakistan’s embassy has refrained from commenting or denying the possible meeting.
The prospective development comes against the backdrop of improving diplomatic relations between Islamabad and Washington — especially following the armed conflict between Pakistan and India in May, which ended after by President Donald Trump brokered a ceasefire between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
It may be noted that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephonic conversation on Sunday with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio wherein both dignitaries reaffirmed their resolve to bolster Pakistan-US ties and strengthen bilateral relations across multifaceted areas of cooperation.
Dar had met Trubio back in July where the two sides discussed a broad range of issues, including bilateral ties, prospects for enhanced cooperation in trade, economy, investment, counter-terrorism, and regional peace.
Soon after the meeting, the two countries announced reaching a trade agreement, which aimed at boosting bilateral trade, improving market access, attracting investment, and strengthening cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
Under the agreement, there will be a reduction in tariffs, particularly on Pakistani exports to the US, and a fresh start in economic cooperation between the two countries, which also includes developing oil reserves.
Earlier this month, Pakistan secured around $500 million investment from the US in its critical minerals sector under a newly signed agreement with United States Strategic Metals (USSM).
The improving economic, trade and diplomatic ties between Islamabad and Washington are also to be taken in the context of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir’s multiple high-level visits to the US — including a rare one-on-one meeting with President Trump in June.
The COAS recently visited the US in August for the retirement ceremony of outgoing Commander United States Central Command (Centcom), General Michael E Kurilla, and the Change of Command Ceremony marking the assumption of command by Admiral Brad Cooper.
During the visit, the army chief met Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is likely to meet US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
According to details, PM Sharif will embark on a visit to the United States to attend the upcoming session of the United Nations General Assembly.
According to diplomatic sources, a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and US President Donald Trump is likely to take place on September 26. The two leaders are expected to hold talks on the sidelines of the UNGA session in New York.
The meeting, if confirmed, will provide both sides an opportunity to discuss bilateral relations, regional developments, and global issues of mutual concern.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will depart for Saudi Arabia tomorrow (September 17) on the first leg of a 10-day official tour of three countries, ARY News reported on Tuesday, citing diplomatic sources.
The visit comes shortly after his return from Doha, where he attended the Emergency Arab-Islamic Summit convened in response to Israeli aggression.
According to sources, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and the United States between September 17 and 27.