Islamabad: Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar will visit Pakistan later this month. He will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. The summit is scheduled for October 15 and 16. This was confirmed by Indian foreign ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal on Friday.
Jaiswal said, “The external affairs minister will lead a delegation to Pakistan for the SCO Summit.” This will be the first visit by an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan in nearly a decade. The visit is significant, as it highlights ongoing engagement despite strained relations.
Earlier, Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was invited to the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting. Pakistan is hosting the summit under its rotating chairmanship. FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said invitations were sent to key leaders, including PM Modi. Some countries have already confirmed their participation.
A security plan for the summit was approved on Wednesday. This was done in a meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi. Extra security personnel from Pakistan Army, Rangers, FC, and Punjab police will be deployed. The aim is to ensure the safety of the guests.
The last visit of an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan was nearly a decade ago. Jaishankar’s visit is expected to be significant. Last year, then-foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari visited India for the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting. This was the first visit by a Pakistani foreign minister to India in 12 years. Bilawal called the trip a “productive and positive decision.”
Read More: PTI protest: Islamabad completely sealed, mobile services suspended
In December 2016, Sartaj Aziz, former adviser on foreign affairs, visited India for the Heart of Asia conference. More recently, in July 2023, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended the SCO Council of Heads of State. The meeting was hosted by India in a virtual format.
India’s participation in the SCO is a balancing act. It weighs regional security cooperation with concerns over China’s influence. India engages cautiously in the SCO’s economic strategies. It aims to counterbalance China while building ties with Central Asia.
Read More: PTI’s lawyer Kazmi arrested for misconduct towards CJP Faez Isa
India has often hesitated to attend meetings in Pakistan. In 2016, India boycotted the 19th Saarc Summit hosted by Pakistan. This led to a deadlock in Saarc activities. However, the SCO allows more flexibility. This makes it easier for both countries to engage despite political tensions.
