Former US President Donald Trump is expected to make a brief but strategically significant visit to Pakistan on September 18, as part of his broader South Asia tour, diplomatic sources confirmed on Thursday.
According to insiders, Trump’s itinerary includes a stop in New Delhi for the Quad Leaders’ Summit in September. However, discussions are underway to include Pakistan in the tour, either en route to India or on his return to the United States. While official confirmation is pending, the prospect of this visit is already generating substantial buzz in Islamabad’s diplomatic circles.
A Revival in US-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue
This would mark a notable moment in US-Pakistan relations, which have seen a cautious recalibration in recent years. The proposed Trump visit comes on the heels of a rare high-level meeting between the former US President and Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, at the White House.
In that meeting, Trump praised Pakistan’s strategic role in the Iran-Israel conflict, acknowledging that “Pakistan understands Iran better than we do.” He emphasized Pakistan’s critical position as a peace stabilizer in the region and expressed gratitude for Munir’s diplomatic role in preventing escalation with India.
“It’s an honour to meet Field Marshal Asim Munir. I thanked him for not letting things spiral into war,” Trump stated, alluding to the recent Pak-India border tensions.
The meeting concluded with a White House luncheon in Munir’s honour, further underlining the diplomatic warmth between the two sides.
Economic and Security Cooperation in Focus
Sources suggest that Trump and Pakistani officials are also discussing trade cooperation, with early talks on a potential trilateral trade agreement involving Pakistan and India. Trump affirmed that “Pakistan’s concerns are being heard,” and added that US officials were looking into expanding bilateral trade channels.
Moreover, General Munir is expected to meet with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pat Hegseth in the coming days, signaling a broader revival of the US-Pakistan strategic dialogue.
These interactions are seen in Islamabad as a diplomatic success, especially after years of uncertainty and limited high-level engagement. Pakistani officials believe these meetings could pave the way for deeper economic, defense, and geopolitical cooperation, particularly amid shifting regional alliances and ongoing challenges in the Middle East.
Implications of the Visit
Should the US President Trump Pakistan visit materialize, it would symbolize a significant diplomatic thaw and signal Washington’s renewed interest in Islamabad’s regional role. It also comes at a time when Pakistan is grappling with domestic monsoon disasters and regional instability, making high-level international support even more vital.
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