Indian Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar has arrived in Islamabad to attend the 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, marking the first visit by an Indian External Affairs Minister to Pakistan in nearly a decade. His presence at this summit is being closely watched by regional and global observers, given the significance of the event and the strained relations between India and Pakistan.
The SCO summit, held on October 15 and 16, brings together key leaders from member countries including Russia, China, India, Pakistan, and several Central Asian nations. Jaishankar’s visit is primarily focused on multilateral discussions under the SCO framework, which aims to enhance cooperation in areas such as regional security, economic partnerships, and counterterrorism. However, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has stated that no formal bilateral talks are planned between Jaishankar and Pakistani officials during this visit .
The significance of Jaishankar’s attendance cannot be overstated, as it reflects India’s continued engagement with regional platforms despite ongoing tensions with Pakistan. The last time an Indian External Affairs Minister visited Pakistan was in 2015, making this visit a notable moment in regional diplomacy.
As the summit unfolds, all eyes are on how the participation of these major regional players will shape future cooperation within the SCO and potentially open doors for dialogue between India and Pakistan on broader issues affecting South Asia.
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