In a significant development, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to arrive in Pakistan on Tuesday, marking a pivotal moment in the complex relationship between the two nations. This visit, for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) conclave, signifies the first high-level interaction by an Indian Foreign Minister on Pakistani soil in almost nine years, a period marked by persistent tensions. The backdrop for this meeting is a landscape riddled with historical disagreements and ongoing security concerns. While Jaishankar’s participation in the SCO summit signals a commitment to regional cooperation, the visit has garnered considerable attention given the strained bilateral relations.
On the eve of Jaishankar’s arrival, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, underscoring the strategic importance of Pakistan-China relations. During their discussions, several agreements were signed, reflecting a deepening of bilateral ties. The meeting also saw the virtual inauguration of the Beijing-funded Gwadar airport, a project seen as a key component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. This meeting serves as a reminder of the intricate web of regional alliances that influence the political landscape.
Despite the historical tensions and the sensitive nature of the visit, both India and Pakistan have officially ruled out any bilateral talks between Jaishankar and his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar, during the SCO summit. This decision further highlights the cautious approach being taken by both sides, emphasizing the focus on multilateral cooperation rather than bilateral negotiations. The summit, which will take place on October 15th and 16th, will see participation from various high-profile figures, including the Prime Ministers of Russia, China, and several Central Asian countries.
The agenda for the SCO summit includes a comprehensive review of the organization’s performance and a discussion on ongoing collaborations in key areas such as commerce, economy, environment, and sociocultural links. The leaders attending the summit will also be responsible for approving the organization’s budget and making critical decisions that aim to further strengthen cooperation among member states. The SCO, founded in 2001, has emerged as a significant platform for promoting economic, political, and security cooperation in Eurasia.
The history of India-Pakistan relations is marred by numerous conflicts, including disputes over the region of Kashmir. The 2019 Pulwama terror attack, followed by India’s airstrikes on a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp in Balakot, further escalated tensions. India’s subsequent revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 led to a further deterioration in diplomatic ties. Despite these challenges, India has consistently expressed a desire for normalized relations with Pakistan, but maintains that the responsibility lies with Islamabad to foster an environment devoid of terrorism and hostility. The recent visit of Pakistan’s former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to India for an SCO foreign ministers’ meeting in Goa marked a significant step towards improved communication, but the path to lasting peace remains challenging.
Jaishankar’s visit to Pakistan, though brief, is a symbolic step towards dialogue and collaboration within the framework of the SCO. While the possibility of bilateral talks remains unlikely at this time, the summit presents an opportunity for both sides to engage in discussions on regional issues and explore avenues for future cooperation. The world will be watching closely to see how this historic visit unfolds and whether it represents a significant step towards improving relations between these two important nations in the region.