India’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday ahead of the 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, marking the first visit by an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan in almost a decade.
Upon landing at Islamabad International Airport, Jaishankar was greeted by Pakistani officials. His arrival preceded the summit’s opening dinner, which was hosted by Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif.
The SCO, involving key regional players like China, Russia, and India, will focus on issues of regional security, economic cooperation, and counterterrorism. Despite the significance of Jaishankar’s visit, India’s foreign ministry confirmed that he would not hold bilateral talks with his Pakistani counterpart.
Kyrgyz Prime Minister Akylbek Japarov also arrived in Pakistan for the SCO summit, receiving a red carpet welcome at Nur Khan Airbase by Federal Minister for Petroleum Musadik Malik. The reception featured children in traditional attire, presenting bouquets to the Kyrgyz leader. Japarov’s visit, accompanied by high-level officials, underscores efforts to strengthen relations between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan during this important multilateral event.
As the summit approaches, delegates from various member states, including China, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan, have begun arriving, highlighting the significance of the gathering for regional cooperation and diplomacy. The participation of India’s foreign minister drew particular attention due to the strained relationship between India and Pakistan, signaling a potential shift in regional diplomacy.
The summit will address a range of topics, including trade, security, and counter-terrorism, providing a platform for collaboration among member nations.