The two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit is set to begin today in Islamabad, marking a significant diplomatic event with the participation of seven prime ministers, including representatives from China and Russia, as well as India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. This is the first visit of a high-level Indian official to Pakistan in nearly nine years, symbolising India’s commitment to the SCO despite ongoing tensions between the two neighbours.
Jaishankar’s visit comes at a time when ties between India and Pakistan remain strained due to ongoing issues related to cross-border terrorism and the Kashmir dispute. Upon arriving in Islamabad, Jaishankar is expected to attend a banquet hosted by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, but both sides have ruled out any bilateral talks between the Indian and Pakistani ministers during the summit.
The focus of SCO summit
The SCO summit, taking place on October 15 and 16, will focus on cooperation in key areas such as trade, economy, environment, and socio-cultural exchanges. Pakistan is hosting this year’s Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting, with Prime Minister Sharif presiding as the current Chair of the SCO.
In attendance alongside Jaishankar are prime ministers from China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Iran will also be represented by its First Vice President, while Mongolia and Turkmenistan are sending high-level officials to participate in discussions.
India-Pakistan relation
This visit by Jaishankar is particularly significant, as it comes after a prolonged diplomatic standoff following the Pulwama terror attack in 2019, which severely impacted India-Pakistan relations. The Indian airstrike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed camp in Pakistan’s Balakot and India’s subsequent abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir further soured bilateral ties. Pakistan downgraded its diplomatic relations with India shortly afterwards.
In his recent remarks, Jaishankar reiterated that while India desires peaceful relations with its neighbours, this cannot be achieved without addressing cross-border terrorism. His presence at the SCO summit signals India’s intention to engage multilaterally within the framework of regional cooperation while maintaining its stance on terrorism.
The SCO summit is being covered under heightened security due to the country’s recent increase in terror attacks and ongoing political unrest led by the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. With extensive military and police deployments, authorities have banned political gatherings and protests in Islamabad. However, the threat of demonstrations by PTI supporters looms large, adding a layer of tension to the already high-stakes summit.
The meeting is expected to conclude with important decisions to strengthen cooperation among SCO member states and approve the organization’s budget for the coming year. Despite the backdrop of diplomatic challenges, Jaishankar’s visit is seen as a strategic move by India to reinforce its commitment to the SCO and regional stability.
(With agency inputs)