Kashmir, economics or... What did Donald Trump discuss with Pakistan’s Sharif and Munir at White House?

United States President Donald Trump hosted Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House on Thursday (September 25). This is the latest sign of improving ties between the two countries.

The meeting, which was also attended by US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, reportedly lasted for 90 minutes. The talks came on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly to discuss the efforts to end Israel’s war in Gaza.

But what did the leaders discuss? We take a look.

Trump meets Sharif, Munir

US President Donald Trump met Pakistani PM Sharif and Pakistan Army Field Marshal Asim Munir at the Oval Office.

Trump called Sharif a “great leader” while talking to reporters at the White House after signing several executive orders on Thursday.

More from Explainers

Trump kept Sharif, Munir waiting for 30 minutes ‘somewhere in beautiful Oval Office’ Sharif, Munir at White House: Trump meets 'a great guy and leader' from 'a terrorist safe haven’

“In fact, we have a great leader coming, the prime minister of Pakistan coming, and the Field Marshal (of) Pakistan. Field Marshal is a very great guy and so is the prime minister, both. And they’re coming, and they may be in this room right now, I don’t know, because we’re late, and I said maybe they’d like to join. They actually may be somewhere in the beautiful Oval Office,” the US president said.

Sharif and Munir arrived at the White House at 4.52 pm on Thursday, while Pakistan’s delegation left the White House at 6.18 pm. The meeting was closed to the media.

Editor’s Picks

1

Are Trump’s Chabahar and Bagram moves about helping Pakistan? 2

Are Pak military leaders' visits to US signs of resetting ties? Should India be bothered?

The talks were scheduled to begin at 4:30 pm, but started about 30 minutes late due to President Trump’s engagements.

Sharif was in the US to attend the United Nations General Assembly session.

Photos shared on X by the Pakistani government showed Trump smiling and giving a thumbs-up alongside the Pakistani PM.

What did they discuss?

The discussions between Trump, Sharif and Munir covered security, economic engagement, counterterrorism, and investment opportunities, top Pakistan government sources told News18. 

Pakistani PM invited American companies to invest in the country in various sectors, including agriculture, technology, mining and energy, Sharif’s office said in a statement.

“The Prime Minister expressed the confidence that under President Trump’s leadership, the Pakistan-US partnership would be further strengthened to the mutual benefit of both countries,” the office said, as per Reuters. 

Sources told News18 that the US expressed keen interest in Pakistan’s rare earth minerals, possible crypto mining, and oil exploration. They said that Washington and Islamabad mutually decided to develop broader cooperation in security, economics, and strategic partnership.

West Asia also came up during the talks between the US and Pakistan. Sharif “lauded President Trump’s efforts to bring about an immediate end to the war in Gaza”.

The Pakistan PM was among the leaders of the Muslim-majority nations who met Trump earlier this week on the sidelines of the UNGA in New York.

As per News18 sources, Washington and Islamabad are expected to sign a comprehensive agreement soon, with the deal covering security and strategic partnerships, a counterterrorism alliance, and investments in rare earth mineral extraction and oil exploration.

During talks with Trump, Pakistani leadership also reportedly raised key issues, such as a surge in terrorism originating from Afghanistan, Balochistan unrest, and Kashmir. Trump assured Sharif and Munir of “full US support and cooperation" to address terrorism threats from Afghan soil, sources said to News18.

The Taliban regime in Afghanistan, China’s increasing influence in the region, and strategic questions on the Bagram Airbase were also discussed.

Trump also welcomed the Pakistan-Saudi mutual defence agreement and Islamabad’s leadership playing a constructive role in promoting “peace” across West Asia and South Asia.

Top Pakistan government sources described the meeting as “highly significant and security-focused," News18 reported.

Ties warm between the US, Pakistan

Ties between the US and Pakistan have improved since Trump returned to the White House in January. This was the first meeting between Trump and Sharif at the White House since the Pakistani PM assumed office last year.

The warming of the relationship between the two countries comes as ties between India and the US have taken a downturn. Trump has slapped 50 per cent tariffs on Indian exports, of which 25 per cent is a “penalty” for buying Russian oil.

The Thursday meeting was the latest in a series of high-level engagements between the US and Pakistan.

Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir has visited the US twice since June, including to attend a private lunch at the White House hosted by Trump.

“The relationship between Washington and Islamabad is gradually warming up," a senior source told News18.

Pakistan has nominated Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, in “recognition of his decisive diplomatic intervention and pivotal leadership during the recent India-Pakistan crisis”.

Trump has repeatedly taken credit for the ceasefire between India and Pakistan after a four-day conflict between the rival neighbouring nations in May. New Delhi has denied the US president’s claims.

As ties improve, Sharif is reported to have invited President Trump to visit Pakistan. US Secretary of State Rubio is already planning to visit the South Asian country, either in October or November.

With inputs from agencies