US President Donald Trump will meet Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif and Arab leaders at a UNGA multilateral session to discuss Gaza peace efforts, de-escalation, and regional stability, signaling Washington’s renewed diplomatic role in the Middle East.
The White House has announced that United States President Donald Trump will hold a high-profile multilateral meeting with leaders of key Muslim-majority countries, including Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, on the side-lines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, unveiling the President’s schedule for the UNGA, confirmed that the meeting will take place on Tuesday. Leaders from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Jordan are expected to participate.
According to officials, the discussions will focus on the ongoing war in Gaza, with an emphasis on exploring diplomatic, political, and humanitarian solutions. The leaders are expected to deliberate on immediate steps for de-escalation, potential ceasefire arrangements, and long-term strategies for regional stability.
A Crucial Moment for Gaza Diplomacy
The war in Gaza has dominated the global diplomatic agenda for months, with international calls intensifying for an urgent ceasefire and humanitarian relief. By convening leaders of major Muslim nations, Trump is signaling Washington’s intention to play a central role in mediating the conflict, despite skepticism over America’s credibility as an impartial actor in Middle Eastern disputes.
Diplomatic sources suggest that the talks may also touch upon reconstruction efforts, humanitarian aid corridors, and the involvement of international organizations in overseeing any post-war arrangements.
No Bilateral Trump-Sharif Meeting
Pakistani media outlets had earlier reported that a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Trump was under active consideration. However, the White House clarified on Monday that no such meeting is scheduled.
Instead, Trump will hold bilateral engagements with UN Secretary General António Guterres, the leaders of Ukraine and Argentina, as well as top officials from the European Union.
This clarification has tempered expectations in Islamabad, where officials had hoped for a one-on-one session to further strengthen ties with Washington.
Recent US-Pakistan Engagements
Despite the absence of a bilateral slot at the UNGA, US-Pakistan ties have shown renewed vigor under Trump’s second term. Earlier in June, Trump hosted Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, for a working lunch at the White House—an unusual move seen as a recognition of the Pakistani military’s central role in shaping Islamabad’s foreign policy.
Trump’s administration has also signed a series of strategic agreements with Pakistan, covering critical minerals, oil cooperation, and emerging sectors such as cryptocurrencies. Islamabad has additionally secured a favorable 19 percent tariff rate in trade negotiations with Washington, a deal touted as a boost for Pakistan’s struggling economy.
Trump’s Mediation Claims in South Asia
President Trump has repeatedly highlighted his role in mediating the India-Pakistan crisis earlier this year. In May, tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad spiked after a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, killed 26 Indian tourists. The attack, attributed to Pakistan-based militant groups, triggered cross-border escalation.
Trump has claimed that his behind-the-scenes efforts led to de-escalation and a cessation of hostilities. However, the Indian government has flatly rejected these assertions, stating that the crisis ended following direct military-level communications between Indian and Pakistani generals, with no US involvement.
Pakistan’s Support for Trump on the Global Stage
Pakistan has been among the early backers of Trump’s international peace credentials. It was one of the first countries to formally nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize. Reports also suggest that Islamabad quietly facilitated back-channel talks that helped ease tensions during the Iran-Israel conflict in June, bolstering Trump’s image as a crisis manager.
Outlook for the UNGA Multilateral Session
Observers believe that Tuesday’s multilateral meeting could set the tone for broader international engagement on Gaza. While the gathering may not deliver an immediate breakthrough, it is expected to reinforce the importance of Muslim countries’ participation in peace talks, alongside US leadership.
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For Pakistan, inclusion in the meeting provides a valuable diplomatic opportunity to demonstrate its relevance on global issues, despite the absence of a separate bilateral with the US President.
As the world watches, the New York meeting will test whether Trump’s renewed focus on multilateral diplomacy can translate into tangible steps toward peace in one of the most volatile regions of the world.
