Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized the significance of addressing challenges among neighboring countries through honest dialogue and cooperation during his speech at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Islamabad. He congratulated Pakistan on assuming the chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of Government, assuring India’s full cooperation during Pakistan’s tenure.
In his address, Jaishankar highlighted the current global landscape, noting two major global conflicts and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which have severely impacted developing nations. He pointed out that SCO member states are facing challenges such as debt and other economic issues.
Stressing one of the core objectives of the SCO charter, he called for promoting mutual trust, friendship, and cooperation among neighboring countries. He argued that it is crucial to identify and address the underlying causes if relations between neighbors are strained.
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Jaishankar reiterated the need for the SCO to focus on combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism—three significant challenges highlighted in the organization’s charter. He underscored that implementing the SCO charter and fostering cooperation would not only benefit member states but also have a positive global impact. He noted that globalization and rebalancing are realities that must be acknowledged, with closer cooperation in trade, communication, and energy sectors potentially opening new avenues for regional development.
Brief Exchange Amid Tensions
On the sidelines of the summit, Jaishankar briefly interacted with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during an official dinner, exchanging greetings in a meeting that lasted less than 20 seconds. This interaction marked the first visit by an Indian minister to Pakistan in nearly a decade, with the last such visit occurring in 2015 when then-Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj attended a conference in Islamabad.
Despite previous attempts to foster dialogue, including a surprise visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to then-Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, official talks have largely stalled. Jaishankar clarified that his presence at the summit was strictly for SCO-related matters, with no bilateral discussions planned.
