The relationship between former US President Barack Obama and former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was a complex one, marked by both cooperation and tension.
The two leaders first met in 2009, when Obama was still a senator. They held several more meetings during Obama’s presidency, including a high-profile visit by Sharif to the White House in 2015.
On the surface, the two leaders seemed to have a good working relationship. They both expressed a commitment to fighting terrorism and promoting peace and stability in the region. However, there were also some underlying tensions in the relationship.
One of the main sources of tension was Pakistan’s nuclear program. Obama was concerned that Pakistan’s nuclear weapons could fall into the wrong hands, and he urged Sharif to take steps to improve security at Pakistan’s nuclear facilities. Sharif, on the other hand, was reluctant to take any steps that he felt would compromise Pakistan’s nuclear deterrent.
Another source of tension was the US drone program in Pakistan. Obama authorized the use of drones to target suspected terrorists in Pakistan, but this program was highly unpopular in Pakistan. Sharif criticized the drone program, calling it a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty.
Despite these tensions, Obama and Sharif did manage to achieve some cooperation on a number of issues. They worked together to improve relations between Pakistan and India, and they also cooperated on efforts to combat terrorism.
However, the relationship between Obama and Sharif ultimately soured. In 2017, Sharif was ousted from power in a military coup. Obama condemned the coup, and he suspended US military aid to Pakistan.
The relationship between Obama and Sharif is a reminder of the complex and often difficult dynamics of US-Pakistan relations. The two countries have a long history of cooperation, but they also have a number of serious disagreements. The Obama-Sharif relationship was no exception, and it is likely that the relationship between the United States and Pakistan will continue to be challenging in the years to come.
In addition to the above, here are some other updated details about Obama and Nawaz Sharif:
- Obama and Sharif last met in 2015, when Sharif visited the White House.
- Sharif was ousted from power in 2017 by a military coup.
- Obama condemned the coup and suspended US military aid to Pakistan.
- Sharif has since been released from prison and is now living in London.
- Obama left office in 2017 and is now a private citizen.
The relationship between Obama and Sharif is a complex one that reflects the challenges of US-Pakistan relations. The two leaders had a good working relationship on some issues, but they also had serious disagreements on others. The relationship between the United States and Pakistan is likely to remain challenging in the years to come.
