36 seconds of diplomacy: Shehbaz and Trump reignite a chilly flame at UNGA
Brajesh Tripathi
New Delhi.
In a brief yet symbolically significant moment, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif exchanged words with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York. The encounter occurred during a gathering of Arab and Islamic leaders hosted by Trump and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the conversation between Sharif and Trump was informal and took place following the summit. Social media footage shows the interaction lasted just 36 seconds, with Trump greeting members of the Pakistani delegation.
Sharif led Pakistan’s high-level delegation to the UNGA, joined by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, along with other senior officials. Contrary to earlier media reports, Pakistan’s powerful Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, was not present during the event, despite speculation that he might accompany Sharif.
The brief interaction comes amid a notable thaw in US-Pakistan relations following years of diplomatic coolness. Ties began to improve after Islamabad credited Trump for helping mediate de-escalation during a military standoff with India in May. While India dismissed Trump’s claims of brokering peace through trade and tariff diplomacy, Pakistan went so far as to nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Initially, Islamabad claimed the ceasefire was brokered through direct military channels, but the narrative shifted in favour of U.S. involvement, signalling Islamabad’s interest in rekindling bilateral cooperation.
In a move seen as further validation of warming ties, Trump hosted Army Chief Asim Munir at the White House in June. Their discussions reportedly covered trade, economic development, and emerging technologies such as cryptocurrency. The visit was soon followed by the announcement of a new trade agreement, with Washington pledging support for Pakistan’s underdeveloped oil sector.
Munir made another trip to Washington in August, culminating in a $500 million U.S. investment commitment toward Pakistan’s critical minerals industry — a strategic sector viewed as vital for global energy and tech supply chains.
While the Sharif-Trump meeting was brief and largely ceremonial, it highlights a broader trend of re-engagement between Islamabad and Washington. With Pakistan seeking economic revival and the U.S. reassessing its strategic interests in South Asia, both sides appear open to renewed cooperation — even if driven by pragmatism rather than past alliances.
