EAM Jaishankar arrives in Islamabad to attend SCO meeting

It is the first time in nearly nine years that India’s foreign minister travelled to Pakistan

xternal Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday (October 15, 2024) landed in Islamabad, Pakistan, to attend a conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), in the first visit to Pakistan by a senior Indian minister in years.

Mr. Jaishankar was greeted at the Nur Khan airbase by senior Pakistani officials.

S. Jaishankar Visits Islamabad: A Historic Step Towards Regional Diplomacy

In a significant diplomatic development, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan, on October 15, 2024, marking the first high-level Indian visit to Pakistan in years. The purpose of the visit is to participate in a conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a regional grouping aimed at enhancing political, economic, and security cooperation among member countries.

The minister was warmly received at the Nur Khan airbase by senior Pakistani officials, reflecting the symbolic importance attached to this rare engagement. The visit comes at a time when regional tensions remain high, and Jaishankar’s presence raises hopes for cautious dialogue between two long-time rivals

The Significance of the Visit

Jaishankar’s visit is notable not only because of the strained relations between India and Pakistan but also because of the diplomatic value that the SCO holds for both nations. Since 2017, when India and Pakistan became full members of the SCO, the forum has served as a neutral platform for engaging in discussions on regional security, counterterrorism, trade, and connectivity.

The SCO conclave provides an opportunity for member states, including India, Pakistan, China, and Russia, to discuss shared challenges like terrorism, extremism, and the stability of Afghanistan. Given the regional importance of these issues, Jaishankar’s participation underscores India’s commitment to addressing them through multilateral dialogue.

What to Expect from the SCO Conclave

The SCO forum will likely focus on a range of regional issues, including:

• Security cooperation: Discussions on counterterrorism measures and curbing extremist networks.
• Economic connectivity: Prospects of improving trade routes, including cross-border infrastructure projects.
• Afghanistan’s stability: Joint strategies to address concerns related to the humanitarian and security situation in Afghanistan.

Jaishankar’s presence at the summit could also signal India’s intent to engage more actively with regional powers through multilateral avenues, despite bilateral tensions with Pakistan.