Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar arrived in Islamabad on October 15, 2024, to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting. This visit marks a significant moment, as it is the first by a senior Indian minister to Pakistan in nearly a decade.
Jaishankar was welcomed at Nur Khan Airbase by senior Pakistani officials. His participation in the SCO summit underscores the importance of regional cooperation, particularly in light of Pakistan’s rotating chairmanship of the organization, which includes major players such as China, Russia, and several Central Asian nations.
The last time India was represented at a high level in Pakistan was in 2015 when then-External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj attended the Heart of Asia conference. Relations between India and Pakistan have remained tense, primarily due to issues related to Kashmir and cross-border terrorism. Despite these challenges, Jaishankar’s visit is seen as an opportunity to engage in dialogue on mutual concerns, although it remains unclear if he will hold bilateral talks with Pakistani officials during his stay.
The SCO summit, scheduled for October 15-16, 2024, will focus on various issues, including economic collaboration and regional security. Pakistan has emphasized that this meeting is crucial for fostering ties among member states despite the underlying geopolitical tensions.
