India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, on Saturday, October 5, clarified the purpose of his upcoming visit to Islamabad, categorically stating that it is solely for attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit 2024. Speaking at the Sardar Patel Lecture on Governance in New Delhi, Jaishankar dismissed any speculation about discussions on India-Pakistan relations during the trip, emphasising that his presence in Pakistan is to fulfil India’s multilateral obligations as a responsible member of the SCO.
During his address, the Minister said, “Yes, I am scheduled to go to Pakistan in the middle of this month and that is for the meeting of the SCO—the heads of government meeting.” He was clear in his intent, stating that his visit should not be interpreted as an opportunity for bilateral engagement with Pakistan. “I expect that there would be a lot of media interest because the very nature of the relationship is such, and I think we will deal with it. But I do want to say it, I will be there for a multilateral event. I mean, I am not going there to discuss India-Pakistan relations. I am going there to be a good member of the SCO,” Jaishankar added, according to ANI.
Further distancing his trip from any bilateral issues, Jaishankar underscored that his participation at the SCO Summit reflects India’s commitment to the organisation. “Since I am a courteous and civil person, I will behave myself accordingly,” he remarked with a note of diplomacy. His statements highlighted that this visit is purely aligned with the agenda of the SCO and should not be viewed in the context of India’s complex relationship with Pakistan.
The SCO Summit, scheduled to be held in Islamabad on October 15-16, 2024, is part of a rotational arrangement within the organisation. Jaishankar explained that the summit is taking place in Pakistan this year because, like India, Pakistan is also a relatively recent member of the bloc. “Normally, the Prime Minister goes to the high-level meeting, the heads of state, that’s in line with the tradition. It so happens that the meeting is taking place in Pakistan,” he added.
When asked about preparations for his visit, Jaishankar’s response reflected his meticulous approach: “Of course, I am planning for it. In my business, you plan for everything that you are going to do, and for a lot of things that you are not going to do, and which could happen also, you plan for that as well.”
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) officially confirmed the Minister’s visit, with spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stating, “EAM Jaishankar will lead a delegation to Pakistan to participate in the SCO summit which will be held in Islamabad on October 15-16.” This formal announcement followed an invitation extended by Pakistan in August, inviting India to attend the in-person meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG).
Jaishankar’s visit to Islamabad follows an earlier exchange between the two countries under the SCO framework. In May 2023, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, visited India for the SCO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Goa, marking the first visit by a Pakistani Foreign Minister to India in six years. While this participation was also seen as part of the multilateral agenda, it demonstrated the importance both nations place on the SCO platform, despite their strained bilateral relations.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), established on June 15, 2001, in Shanghai, is a permanent intergovernmental organisation founded by Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The bloc has expanded over the years, with India and Pakistan joining in 2017, and most recently, Iran becoming a full member in 2023. Afghanistan, Mongolia, and Belarus currently hold observer status within the organisation.
As the geopolitical landscape in the region continues to evolve, India’s participation in the SCO Summit in Islamabad will be closely watched. Jaishankar’s remarks, however, make it clear that while India’s presence in Pakistan is significant within the context of the SCO, there is no intention to deviate from the multilateral focus of the event.
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