In a historic development, India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar landed in Islamabad on Tuesday, October 15, marking the first high-level visit by an Indian minister to Pakistan in nearly nine years. Jaishankar’s presence at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, hosted by Pakistan, signifies a potential thaw in the traditionally frosty relations between the two neighboring nations.
Jaishankar’s visit comes at a time when India and Pakistan have been locked in a tense standoff over issues such as the Kashmir dispute and cross-border terrorism. Despite these challenges, India’s participation in the SCO summit highlights its commitment to regional cooperation and dialogue.
Upon his arrival, Jaishankar was warmly welcomed by senior Pakistani officials at the Nur Khan airbase. The Indian Foreign Minister’s last visit to Pakistan was in December 2015 when then-Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj traveled to Islamabad to attend a conference on Afghanistan.
The two-day SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) summit, hosted by Pakistan on October 15 and 16, focuses on the trade and economic agenda of the SCO. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized India’s active engagement in the SCO format, including various mechanisms and initiatives within the organization’s framework.
While India has ruled out any bilateral talks between Jaishankar and his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar during the summit, the decision to send the senior minister is seen as a display of India’s commitment to the SCO and a potential opening for engagement with Pakistan.
In the evening, Jaishankar is expected to attend a banquet reception hosted by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, welcoming delegates from SCO member nations.
The visit comes on the heels of a meeting between Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday, where they discussed bilateral relations and mutual interests. Several agreements were signed, and the duo virtually inaugurated the Beijing-funded Gwadar airport, further emphasizing the growing strategic partnership between China and Pakistan.
Jaishankar’s trip to Pakistan holds significant diplomatic implications, signaling a possible shift in relations between the two nations. While it remains to be seen if this visit leads to a breakthrough in resolving long-standing issues, it undoubtedly presents an opportunity for dialogue and cooperation within the SCO framework.