
In a significant diplomatic move, India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar is set to visit Pakistan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG) summit scheduled in mid-October 2024. This will mark the first visit by an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan since 2015, when Sushma Swaraj attended a conference in Islamabad.
The visit is seen as an essential step in reaffirming India’s commitment to regional multilateralism, despite strained bilateral relations with Pakistan. Tensions have escalated since the 2019 Pulwama attack and subsequent Balakot airstrikes. Moreover, India’s revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir worsened ties.
The SCO summit, hosted by Pakistan this year, provides a platform for discussions on security, trade, and economic cooperation. The SCO, which includes major players like Russia, China, and Central Asian countries, is a key forum for regional cooperation. Jaishankar’s participation demonstrates India’s dedication to its role in the organization despite political differences with Pakistan