Islamabad, May 11 – Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday described former US President Donald Trump as a “new leader” who could help rejuvenate the Pakistan-US strategic relationship, lauding his offer to facilitate peace in South Asia.
In a post on X, Shehbaz expressed gratitude to Trump for his “path-breaking leadership and commitment to global peace,” and welcomed his willingness to play a greater role in resolving regional issues, including the long-standing Kashmir dispute.
His remarks came shortly after Trump praised both India and Pakistan for showing “strong and unwaveringly powerful” leadership in reaching a ceasefire after recent cross-border hostilities. Trump also signaled his readiness to assist in finding a “solution” to the Kashmir issue.
India Reiterates Bilateral Stance on Kashmir
India has consistently rejected any third-party mediation on Kashmir, maintaining that it is strictly a bilateral matter. The latest statement from Shehbaz may rekindle diplomatic sensitivities around this position, especially in light of the US’s past reluctance to intervene in the issue.A Complicated Legacy of Pak-US Relations
The Pakistan-US partnership dates back to the 1950s, when Pakistan aligned itself with US-led Western blocs during the Cold War. The alliance reached its height in the 1980s during the joint efforts to combat Soviet forces in Afghanistan.However, relations soured significantly following the 9/11 attacks and the subsequent US military actions in Afghanistan. The downward spiral continued after the 2011 US Navy SEAL operation that killed Osama bin Laden on Pakistani soil.
In the years since, the US has developed stronger ties with India, while Pakistan has pivoted closer to China, leading to a gradual decline in Washington-Islamabad cooperation.