Jaishankar Speaks at SCO Summit in Pakistan, Highlighting Key Issues

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif greeted each other during an informal dinner in Islamabad, where Jaishankar is attending the two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. Despite this exchange, there was no indication of easing tensions between India and Pakistan.

At the banquet, Sharif greeted all leaders from SCO member nations, including Jaishankar, who also exchanged pleasantries with Pakistan’s Finance Minister Ishaq Dar. Meanwhile, Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari advocated for bilateral talks between India and Pakistan during the summit. In an interview with ARY News, Bhutto Zardari questioned India’s rigid stance, emphasizing the need for dialogue between the two nations. He acknowledged terrorism as a real issue but argued that engaging in talks could help find common ground and save lives on both sides.

Jaishankar landed in Islamabad on Tuesday afternoon, welcomed by senior Pakistani officials. Before departing, he stated that India remains committed to the SCO’s agenda, particularly its focus on trade and economic cooperation.

However, both India and Pakistan have ruled out bilateral talks during the summit. Jaishankar recently stressed that while India seeks good relations with its neighbors, this cannot happen without addressing cross-border terrorism. This visit marks the first time in nine years that an Indian foreign minister has visited Pakistan, following the late Sushma Swaraj’s attendance at the 2015 ‘Heart of Asia’ conference.

Jaishankar’s presence at the summit highlights India’s engagement in multilateral platforms, but underlying tensions with Pakistan remain unchanged.