Jaishankar visits Islamabad for SCO summit, first Indian Foreign Minister to visit Pakistan after 9 years

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar arrived in Islamabad on October 15, 2024, to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG) summit scheduled for October 16. This visit is notable as it represents the first trip by a high-ranking Indian minister to Pakistan in nearly a decade, occurring amid ongoing tensions primarily centered around the Kashmir issue and cross-border terrorism.

Jaishankar’s aircraft landed at Nur Khan airbase at approximately 3:30 PM local time, where he was greeted by senior Pakistani officials and children who welcomed him with flowers. His visit comes nearly nine years after former Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj last visited Pakistan in December 2015 for the 'Heart of Asia' conference on Afghanistan. During that trip, Swaraj held discussions with her then-counterpart Sartaj Aziz, resulting in a joint statement aimed at resuming a Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue. However, relations have since soured due to a series of terror attacks linked to groups based in Pakistan.

The SCO CHG summit, hosted by Pakistan under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, will focus on key issues such as regional security, economic cooperation, and strategies to combat terrorism. This year’s summit is particularly significant as it includes leaders from several member nations, including China, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, with Iran represented by its First Vice President. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that Jaishankar would lead the Indian delegation, emphasizing India's active engagement within the SCO framework.

In a pre-visit statement, Jaishankar expressed India's desire for good relations with Pakistan, but underscored that such engagement could not occur without addressing the issue of cross-border terrorism. He reiterated India's position that the responsibility lies with Islamabad to foster a conducive environment for dialogue. Despite this diplomatic gesture, both India and Pakistan have confirmed that no bilateral talks are planned between Jaishankar and Pakistan’s Finance Minister Ishaq Dar during the summit.

To ensure the safety of the approximately 900 delegates attending the SCO summit, the Pakistani government has deployed over 10,000 police and paramilitary personnel. Security measures include the enforcement of Section 144 in Rawalpindi until October 17, which prohibits political gatherings, demonstrations, and related activities to maintain public order during the event. Jaishankar is also expected to attend a banquet reception hosted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, further highlighting the significance of this high-profile diplomatic gathering.