External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan, on October 15, 2024, to attend the 23rd Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG). This marks the first high-level visit from India in several years and the first time in nearly nine years that an Indian foreign minister has visited Pakistan. The visit comes amid ongoing tensions between the two countries over issues such as Kashmir and cross-border terrorism.
The SCO Summit is a significant event that brings together leaders from SCO member states to discuss cooperation in various fields including economy, trade, environment, and socio-cultural linkages. Pakistan is hosting the summit under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who will preside over the two-day meeting.
Jaishankar's visit is expected to last less than 24 hours. He will attend a banquet reception hosted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to welcome the SCO delegates. However, both India and Pakistan have ruled out any bilateral discussions between Jaishankar and his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar, during the SCO heads of government summit.
The security measures in place for the summit are elaborate, with over 10,000 police and paramilitary personnel deployed to ensure the safety of around 900 delegates attending the event. Section 144 has been imposed in Rawalpindi until October 17 to maintain public order and prevent any political gatherings or demonstrations.
Despite the high security measures, tensions remain high due to ongoing protests by jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The PTI had announced a protest at Islamabad's D-Chowk on October 15, but it was called off after the government assured that a medical team would be allowed to meet Imran Khan.
The SCO Summit will focus on important topics such as regional security, economic collaboration, and the fight against terrorism. The meeting will also discuss ongoing cooperation in fields like economy, trade, environment, and socio-cultural linkages. Leaders are expected to adopt important organisational decisions to further enhance cooperation among SCO member states and approve the budget of the Organisation.
India remains actively engaged in the SCO format, including various mechanisms and initiatives within the SCO framework. This engagement reflects India's commitment to regional cooperation and its desire to strengthen economic and security ties with other member states.
The visit by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar assumes significance as it is seen as a significant decision on New Delhi's part. In his recent address, Jaishankar emphasized that India would certainly like to have good relations with Pakistan but that cannot happen by overlooking cross-border terrorism and indulging in wishful thinking.
The relations between India and Pakistan have been strained over several issues including the Kashmir dispute and cross-border terrorism. The last Indian foreign minister to visit Pakistan was Sushma Swaraj in December 2015. Pakistan's then foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari visited India in May 2023 to attend an in-person meeting of the foreign ministers of SCO nations in Goa.
The SCO Summit in Pakistan is also notable for the presence of other high-profile leaders. Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived in Pakistan on October 14, 2024, for a four-day visit during which he will attend the SCO summit and hold bilateral meetings with Pakistani leaders on several issues including the strategic China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The security situation in Pakistan has been a concern ahead of the SCO Summit. The killing of two Chinese engineers and the shooting to death of 21 miners have heightened tensions. To address these concerns, elaborate security measures are in place, with Pakistan army troops responsible for the security of the capital's Red Zone, where most of the meetings will take place.
The Pakistani government has announced a three-day public holiday in Islamabad, with schools and businesses shut. Large contingents of police and paramilitary forces have been deployed to maintain law and order during the summit. The authorities have banned all kinds of political gatherings and protests to facilitate the smooth running of the event.
The SCO Summit is expected to be a significant event for regional cooperation. The meeting will bring together leaders from SCO member states to discuss various aspects of cooperation and strengthen ties. Despite the challenges and tensions, the visit by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar marks an important step towards engaging with regional partners and fostering cooperation.
