In a significant diplomatic move, US President Donald Trump is set to meet leaders of key Muslim countries, including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Turkiye, Indonesia, Egypt, Qatar, and Jordan, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session in New York. The White House confirmed that the multilateral engagement will take place today, with pressing issues of regional and global peace dominating the agenda.
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will join the select group of Muslim leaders in the meeting with Trump. The discussions are expected to center around the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, particularly Israel’s devastating operations in Gaza, which have claimed more than 65,000 lives since October 2023. Many Muslim countries are calling for accountability for Tel Aviv’s actions, pressing the international community to take urgent notice.
The timing of the gathering is crucial. With wars raging in the Middle East and Ukraine, and tensions rising in South Asia, the UNGA session from September 23–29 has become a focal point for global diplomacy. Sharif’s presence underscores Pakistan’s intention to project its concerns regarding Palestine and Kashmir while also engaging with global leaders on trade and security.
Beyond the conflict-ridden Middle East, the meeting marks a thaw in Pakistan-US relations. After years of strain during the Biden administration, Islamabad and Washington have improved ties under Trump’s tenure. Pakistan even nominated Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize earlier this year after he brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan following their most serious border clashes since 1999.
This warming relationship has been further aided by Washington’s shift away from New Delhi after Trump imposed trade tariffs on India. In contrast, Pakistan and the US finalized a trade agreement, reinforcing their mutual economic and political interests.
Prime Minister Sharif, who arrived in New York on Monday, will lead Pakistan’s delegation at the 80th UNGA session. Alongside the Trump meeting, his engagements include bilateral discussions with world leaders, meetings with senior UN officials, and participation in high-profile events aimed at spotlighting humanitarian crises.
Pakistan hopes that this renewed engagement with Washington will strengthen its global standing and help mobilize international consensus against human rights violations in Gaza and Kashmir, two causes central to its foreign policy narrative.
