Waves rippled through diplomatic circles as Pakistani Premier Shehbaz Sharif, in Washington for the ‘Board of Peace’ launch, effusively commended President Donald Trump for defusing India-Pakistan hostilities. Sharif’s speech painted Trump as the architect of peace, crediting him with forestalling a nuclear showdown that threatened countless lives.
Addressing the assembly, Sharif declared, ‘Trump is the true envoy of peace,’ whose interventions mitigated risks in South Asia and beyond. He spotlighted America’s crucial part in easing regional strains, praising Trump’s leadership for fostering calm in volatile zones.
Sharif voiced strong endorsement for a Gaza ceasefire proposal, advocating Palestinian self-determination through a unified, sovereign state. He decried decades of occupation and suffering, aligning it with Trump’s historic peace pushes.
Post-session, Sharif met Secretary Marco Rubio, who expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s support on Gaza and peace board involvement. Rubio offered sympathies over the January 31 Balochistan violence and February 6 Islamabad explosion, underscoring joint anti-terror efforts.
The duo delved into economic synergies, assessing Pakistan’s Critical Minerals engagement and avenues for US firms in energy and minerals. Continued bilateral counter-terrorism cooperation was a focal point.
Sharif’s trip notably lacked a Trump bilateral, though the President had previously boasted of trade threats to India and Pakistan during tensions, including chats with Modi. Trump warned of 200% duties and evoked nuclear perils: ‘I don’t want to think about what might have happened.’
With Kashmir disputes fueling periodic flare-ups despite lulls, global eyes remain fixed. Sharif’s tribute elevates Trump’s peacemaking credentials, potentially influencing future US-Pak relations and South Asian geopolitics.