ISLAMABAD:
Pakistani and Indian foreign ministers held an informal meeting, away from the media’s scrutiny, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) conference, according to official and diplomatic sources confirmed to The Express Tribune on Wednesday.
Before arriving in Islamabad, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had dismissed the possibility of a bilateral meeting with Pakistani officials. However, his interaction at the SCO conference marked the first indication of a potential thaw in relations between the two neighbors.
Sources revealed that discreet communications during the conference led to a seating arrangement allowing Jaishankar to sit next to Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari during a luncheon hosted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the SCO delegates.
A positive atmosphere emerged as both parties moderated their rhetoric in their speeches. Prime Minister Shehbaz adhered to the SCO charter by refraining from raising bilateral issues with India. In turn, Jaishankar’s address was notably more measured compared to his recent hardline statements against Pakistan, as he addressed terrorism and extremism as barriers to regional cooperation without the usual anti-Pakistan tone.
Sources indicated that both sides agreed to tone down their rhetoric despite ongoing tensions. India committed to avoiding a blame game, provided that the Pakistani Prime Minister confined his speech to the SCO charter.
After the speeches, messages were exchanged to facilitate a seating arrangement that allowed the two foreign ministers to sit together. While details of their informal discussions remain unclear, sources suggest the talks extended beyond mere pleasantries.
This development contrasts sharply with Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s visit to Goa for last year’s SCO foreign ministers’ meeting, which ended in increased tensions. Jaishankar’s trip to Islamabad, however, seemed to ease some of the chill in relations. Notably, he expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz, Foreign Minister Dar, and the Pakistani government for their hospitality before departing.
This marked a significant departure from the recent combative rhetoric between the two nations. While Jaishankar had previously taken a hardline stance toward Pakistan, his visit to Islamabad appeared to prompt a shift in approach.
“This is certainly a positive signal,” remarked a Pakistani official, who requested anonymity. However, the official cautioned against unrealistic expectations for an immediate breakthrough, stating, “It is a step in the right direction, but there is still a long way to go.”
Relations between Pakistan and India have remained tense for years, and it took seven years for the two sides to share a public handshake when Prime Minister Shehbaz received Jaishankar at a dinner the night before the SCO meeting. A second, more comfortable handshake occurred just hours later when Shehbaz welcomed Jaishankar at the Jinnah Convention Centre for the summit.
Unlike the dinner meeting, Jaishankar appeared more at ease during their second handshake, reflecting a deliberate effort from both sides to avoid creating any unpleasant situations. Notably, Jaishankar left Islamabad without engaging with the media, including his own journalists present for the SCO coverage.
The Pakistani side also ensured that the Indian delegation enjoyed a comfortable stay in Islamabad. While sources acknowledged that there appears to be some opening after years of tension, there remains skepticism about any significant breakthrough, given the political stakes for both countries if they show any flexibility in their respective positions.