9 Key Points About India's External Affairs Minister Jaishankar's Visit to Pakistan for the SCO Summit

1. Purpose of the Visit

Jaishankar's visit to Pakistan is primarily for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting. He emphasized that his trip is purely for multilateral engagement and not for any bilateral discussions with Pakistan.

2. SCO's Significance

The SCO is a significant regional organization that includes powerful nations like China and Russia, along with Central Asian countries. India joined the SCO as a permanent member in 2017, and this visit underscores India's commitment to multilateral engagement.

3. Tense Relations Between India and Pakistan

The relationship between India and Pakistan has been tense since the Pulwama terrorist attack in February 2019. The attack led to the Balakot air strikes, and since then, diplomatic exchanges have highlighted these deep divisions.

4. Jaishankar's Stance on Cross-Border Terrorism

Jaishankar has been clear about his stance on cross-border terrorism. He warned that Pakistan's policy of cross-border terrorism would never succeed and highlighted the ongoing economic crisis in Pakistan.

5. India's Commitment to Multilateralism

Despite the strained ties, India remains committed to multilateral organizations like the SCO. This commitment is crucial given the regional and global dynamics, especially with China and Russia as key players in the bloc.

6. Last Ministerial Visit to Pakistan

The last ministerial visit to Pakistan was by Sushma Swaraj in December 2015 for a meeting of the 'Heart of Asia' format, a security conference focused on Afghanistan. Jaishankar's visit marks a significant event in recent diplomatic history between the two nations.

7. SCO Summit Details

The SCO Summit in Islamabad will begin with a networking dinner on October 15, followed by deliberations on various issues the next day. The SCO Council of Heads of Government is the second highest decision-making body of the grouping.

8. Jaishankar's Expectations

Jaishankar expects a lot of media interest due to the sensitive nature of India-Pakistan relations. He emphasized that he will behave himself and focus on being a good member of the SCO during his visit.

9. Future Diplomatic Engagements

While there is speculation about future bilateral talks, Jaishankar has ruled out any discussions on India-Pakistan relations during his visit. However, the visit could potentially pave the way for future diplomatic engagements if both sides are willing to engage constructively.