India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar is set to lead the Indian delegation to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting, which will be held in Islamabad on October 15-16. His visit comes at a time when relations between India and Pakistan remain tense, with longstanding disputes over cross-border terrorism and the Kashmir issue.
The announcement that Jaishankar will represent India at the SCO meeting was confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Responding to a question at the weekly briefing, MEA official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “EAM Jaishankar will lead a delegation to Pakistan for the SCO summit in Islamabad.”
Will he have any bilateral meetings?
No. According to the spokesperson the minister is representing India at the SCO summit and there is no bilateral meeting scheduled.
What adds to the significance of this visit is that the SCO heads of state-level meetings are usually attended by Presidents and Prime Ministers. However, this time, Jaishankar will be stepping in for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sparking speculation about the delicate balance India is striking in its diplomatic ties with Pakistan, especially at a multilateral platform like the SCO.
The timing of this visit is particularly noteworthy as it comes just weeks after Jaishankar’s pointed remarks about Pakistan at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). On September 28, the minister made a scathing reference to Pakistan’s role in promoting terrorism. “A premier example is our neighbour, Pakistan,” Jaishankar stated, condemning the country for fostering extremism. “Today we see the ills it sought to visit on others consume its own society. This is only karma,” he remarked, reflecting the gravity of India’s concerns over cross-border terrorism.
In his address, Jaishankar did not hold back when responding to Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s earlier statements at the UNGA. He highlighted, “Pakistan’s cross-border terrorism policy will never succeed, and it can have no expectation of impunity.” These comments underscore India’s firm stance on Pakistan’s activities and the impact they have had on regional stability.
Jaishankar’s upcoming trip to Islamabad is being closely watched as it follows this series of sharp diplomatic exchanges. While India has consistently condemned Pakistan’s role in harbouring terrorism, the SCO summit provides a platform for engagement, though with heavy skepticism about any real progress in bilateral relations.
As the summit approaches, there is growing anticipation over how the Indian delegation, led by Jaishankar, will navigate the diplomatic complexities. India’s participation is seen as a careful balancing act—staying engaged with regional partners while maintaining its strong position on critical issues, especially with Pakistan.