External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to visit Pakistan on October 15-16 to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) heads of government meeting, marking the first visit by an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan in nearly a decade. Jaishankar’s visit is expected to last less than 24 hours, and while there are no formal bilateral talks planned, he may attend a dinner hosted by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for visiting delegates, according to Times of India.
Jaishankar’s trip comes at a time of strained relations between India and Pakistan, with cross-border terrorism and Kashmir remaining key points of contention. The Indian government has clarified that Jaishankar’s visit is not aimed at discussing bilateral issues but is part of India’s commitment to its role as a responsible member of the SCO. The regional group includes India, Pakistan, Russia, China, Iran, and several Central Asian countries.
India has consistently maintained that any meaningful dialogue with Pakistan requires clear and lasting action against terrorism. The two nations have not engaged in significant diplomatic discussions for nearly nine years, following a sharp decline in relations after India revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019. India expects Pakistan to take the initiative if any sideline conversation were to take place during the SCO summit.
While there is no scheduled meeting between Jaishankar and his Pakistani counterpart, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, brief informal exchanges may occur. The two countries continue to have vastly different priorities on key issues. Pakistan remains focused on the Kashmir issue, with Dar recently reaffirming Islamabad’s stance and highlighting both the Kashmir conflict and the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza as major concerns for the Shehbaz Sharif-led government.
India, however, remains steadfast in its position, requiring Pakistan to take decisive action on terrorism before any substantial progress in relations can be achieved. Despite these tensions, both nations continue to participate in the SCO, which India sees as a key platform for addressing regional security issues, particularly in light of Russia’s influential role within the group.
Jaishankar’s visit is primarily focused on the SCO’s broader agenda, and it is not expected to lead to any significant breakthroughs in Indo-Pak relations. The main summit is scheduled for Wednesday, with Jaishankar expected to return to India shortly after.
Sources By Agencies
