External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on Tuesday, October 15, to participate in a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). This visit marks the first high-level visit of an Indian Foreign Minister to Pakistan in nearly nine years, highlighting the ongoing tensions between the two neighbouring countries.
Following his arrival, Jaishankar is expected to attend a banquet reception hosted by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to welcome delegates from the various SCO member nations. There have been no indications of any bilateral talks between Jaishankar and Pakistani officials during the SCO heads of government summit.
This visit is significant as it demonstrates India’s commitment to the SCO, showcasing its willingness to engage with regional partners. In a recent speech, Jaishankar expressed India’s desire for positive relations with Pakistan, emphasizing the need to address cross-border terrorism and avoid unrealistic expectations.
India-Pakistan relations have been strained, particularly following India’s military strike in Balakot, Pakistan, in response to the Pulwama terror attack. Tensions escalated further after India’s decision to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and reorganize the state into two union territories in August 2019.
Despite these challenges, India has reiterated its commitment to establishing normal relations with Pakistan, emphasizing the need for Islamabad to address terrorism and hostility. The onus is on Pakistan to create an environment conducive to constructive engagement between the two countries.
It is worth noting that Pakistan’s former foreign minister visited India in 2023 for a meeting with foreign ministers of SCO nations in Goa, marking the first visit by a Pakistani foreign minister to India in over a decade. Overall, Jaishankar’s visit to Pakistan underlines the complexities and importance of fostering regional cooperation and dialogue within the SCO framework.
