US President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the White House on Thursday, marking a key diplomatic engagement weeks after the two countries agreed to a trade deal.

US-Pakistan ties have warmed in recent months under Trump after Washington had for years viewed Pakistan’s rival India as a counter to China’s influence in Asia.

Washington’s relations with New Delhi have been tested under the Republican leader over issues such as visa hurdles for Indians, high tariff rates imposed by Trump on goods from India and Trump’s repeated claims that he brokered an India-Pakistan ceasefire in May after the South Asian neighbors engaged in their latest hostilities.

Lower Tariffs For Pakistan

The United States and Pakistan announced a trade deal on July 3

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