SCO Summit 2024: S Jaishankar’s Historic Pakistan Visit Amid India-Pak Tensions

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, marking the first high-level diplomatic visit from India to Pakistan in almost nine years.

The summit, hosted under heightened security, brings together leaders from SCO member nations to discuss ongoing cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, environmental concerns, and socio-cultural linkages.

Highlights of Jaishankar's Visit and SCO Developments

Reception for SCO Delegates

Jaishankar will attend a banquet hosted by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, joining other foreign delegates at the 23rd meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) in Islamabad. This visit follows Pakistan assuming the rotating chair of the SCO CHG for 2023-24.

Focus Areas for the SCO Meeting

The two-day SCO conclave will review current projects and explore further cooperation in economic, trade, environmental, and cultural domains among member states. This framework is particularly important as regional countries seek to strengthen economic integration and security collaboration.

First High-Level Visit in Nine Years

Jaishankar's visit is significant for being the first by an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan since Sushma Swaraj attended an Afghanistan conference in Islamabad in December 2015. This diplomatic decision underscores India's commitment to the SCO while balancing its strained relationship with Pakistan.

Protests Called Off in Pakistan

Pakistan's main opposition, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), had initially planned a protest demanding a meeting with jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. However, it was called off after government assurances of a medical team visit to Khan, allowing the summit to proceed peacefully.

India's Position on Bilateral Relations

Addressing recent tensions, Jaishankar emphasized India's desire for stable relations with Pakistan, while reiterating that this depends on Islamabad addressing cross-border terrorism concerns.

Historic Diplomatic Strains

Indo-Pakistani relations deteriorated sharply after India's airstrikes on a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp in Balakot, Pakistan, in 2019 following the Pulwama terror attack. Relations worsened when India revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019, leading Pakistan to downgrade diplomatic ties.

Pakistan's Previous Foreign Minister Visits India

In May 2023, Pakistan's former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari attended the SCO meeting of foreign ministers in Goa, marking the first official visit by a Pakistani foreign minister to India in over a decade. This was viewed as a step towards regional cooperation amid political differences.

India's Commitment to Regional Cooperation

The decision to send Jaishankar highlights New Delhi's support for the SCO framework and its long-standing stance that regional cooperation should be fostered alongside commitments to a terror-free environment.

No Bilateral Talks Scheduled

Although Jaishankar's visit to Pakistan holds symbolic importance, neither India nor Pakistan has expressed intentions for bilateral discussions during the SCO summit. Both nations maintain their official stance that engagement is possible if fundamental issues are addressed.

Looking Forward

The SCO summit provides a platform for India and Pakistan to engage in regional dialogues, though major diplomatic breakthroughs are not expected. This meeting highlights the complexities of Indo-Pakistani ties and signals both countries' willingness to uphold multilateral agreements.

Jaishankar's visit signals India's balanced approach towards regional diplomacy, with security and economic interests in mind, while remaining firm on its stance on cross-border concerns. The SCO summit presents an opportunity for dialogue and cooperation among regional players, even as longstanding issues remain.