EAM Jaishankar set to attend SCO meeting in Pakistan amid diplomatic freeze, bilateral talks ruled out; All you need to know

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is set to arrive in Pakistan on Tuesday evening to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) heads of government meeting. While no formal bilateral discussions with Pakistani officials are planned, Jaishankar is expected to attend a welcome dinner hosted by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, where informal conversations with Shehbaz and Pakistan’s Finance Minister Ishaq Dar may take place.

First visit in nearly a decade

This marks the first visit by an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan in almost a decade. Despite this, Jaishankar made it clear that his presence at the event is strictly in the capacity of India’s role as a "good member" of the SCO, an important Eurasian alliance that includes India, Pakistan, Russia, China, and several Central Asian nations.

Focus on regional stability

India has deliberately separated its regional disputes, including tensions with Pakistan and China, from its involvement in the SCO. The group’s importance in ensuring regional security and Russia’s influence within the alliance is crucial for India’s participation. Nonetheless, while there are no official bilateral talks planned, informal discussions between Jaishankar and Pakistani officials cannot be ruled out.

India’s stand on relations with Pakistan

India has reiterated that for any progress in bilateral relations, it is Pakistan’s responsibility to take concrete and sustained action against terrorism. Moreover, India expects Pakistan to reconsider its diplomatic downgrade following India’s decision to alter the status of Jammu and Kashmir.