Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to travel to Islamabad for the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting, marking the first visit by an Indian external affairs minister to Pakistan in nine years. The last visit was by Sushma Swaraj in 2015. Jaishankar will attend the two-day SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting on October 15-16, 2024, in Islamabad, with leaders from several countries, including Russia and China, also confirming their participation.
Despite the strained relations between India and Pakistan, India’s participation in the meeting highlights the significance of the SCO as a regional forum. Pakistan had initially extended an invitation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but as is customary, both India and Pakistan will be represented by their foreign ministers at the heads of government meeting, while their prime ministers attend the heads of state summit.
Read More: India-Bound Flight Diverted To Karachi For an Emergency Landing
Jaishankar’s visit is seen as a pragmatic decision by India to not miss an important SCO meeting due to its location in Islamabad. There is uncertainty regarding any potential bilateral talks between the two countries during the visit, with current indications suggesting India is focused solely on the SCO agenda. In contrast, Pakistan attended the last SCO foreign ministers’ meeting in Goa in 2023, but no bilateral meeting occurred between the two sides then.
Some analysts view Jaishankar’s trip as a potential shift in India’s stance, especially since it has previously boycotted SAARC meetings in Pakistan. His visit could also pave the way for further engagements, such as the Indian cricket team’s possible travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy next year.
The SCO, founded in 2001, is a Eurasian political, economic, and security organization, initially comprising China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. India, Pakistan, and Iran have since joined as full members, making the SCO an important platform for regional collaboration and strategic dialogue.
