First Indian Foreign Minister in 10 Years to Visit Pakistan for SCO Summit

News 09 Oct 2024 148 Views

In a significant diplomatic development, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar will visit Pakistan later this month to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, marking the first visit by an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan in nearly a decade. The announcement was made by Indian foreign ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal on Friday during a weekly press briefing.

“The external affairs minister will lead a delegation to Pakistan to participate in the SCO Summit, which will be held on October 15th and 16th,” Jaiswal confirmed.

The visit comes at a critical time as both nations navigate strained bilateral relations yet continue to engage through multilateral forums like the SCO. This is the first time in almost a decade that an Indian foreign minister will step foot on Pakistani soil for an official event, reflecting the importance of the SCO in fostering regional cooperation.

Security Measures Tightened for the Summit

As Pakistan prepares to host the high-profile summit, the Federal Minister of Interior, Mohsin Naqvi, approved a comprehensive security plan earlier this week. “Additional personnel from Pakistan Army, Rangers, FC, and Punjab police will be deployed to ensure foolproof security for the guests,” the interior minister announced. The federal government has also authorized the deployment of the army in Islamabad from October 5-17 to maintain law and order during the summit.

A notification from the interior ministry indicated that the exact area of deployment and the number of troops involved would be finalized in the coming days, ensuring that security remains a top priority during the event.

Invitation Extended to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi

In a further diplomatic gesture, the Pakistani Foreign Office (FO) had earlier confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had been invited to the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting. FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch shared, “An invitation has also been sent to the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi,” noting that several countries had already confirmed their participation in the event.

India’s participation in the SCO has often been viewed as a delicate balancing act, given its regional security concerns and the wariness of China’s growing influence within the organization. By attending such events, India seeks to engage in regional security cooperation while maintaining a nuanced approach toward Chinese dominance in the bloc.

Previous Diplomatic Engagements Amid Strained Relations

This visit by Jaishankar follows a series of cautious engagements between the two neighbors. Last year in May, then-foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari visited India to attend a two-day meeting of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers. He was the first Pakistani foreign minister to visit India in 12 years, describing the decision to participate as “productive and positive.” Additionally, former Pakistani foreign adviser Sartaj Aziz visited India in December 2016 for the Heart of Asia conference.

Despite the strained relations, both India and Pakistan continue to engage diplomatically through multilateral forums. In July 2023, Pakistan’s then-Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif participated virtually in the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting hosted by India, underscoring the importance of the SCO as a platform for regional dialogue.

This upcoming summit is set to be closely watched as the two nuclear-armed neighbors share the same stage amid ongoing tensions yet continue to pursue avenues of multilateral cooperation.