External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar arrived in Islamabad today to attend a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, the first visit by an Indian minister to Pakistan in almost a decade.
Ilyas Mahmood Nizami, Director General for South Asia in the Ministry of External Affairs, warmly welcomed Mr Jaishankar at the Noor Khan Airbase in Islamabad, a foreign statement said.
Children dressed in traditional attire presented bouquets to foreign dignitaries. It added that a red carpet was rolled out to welcome the guests, underscoring the importance of the event.
This is the first time in almost nine years that the External Affairs Minister of India has visited Pakistan. Relations between the two neighbors remain cold over the issue of cross-border terrorism from Pakistan. India has clearly stated on several occasions that “talks and terrorism cannot go together”, and Pakistan should “stop using terrorism as an instrument of state policy by giving shelter and protection to terrorists.” “
The last Indian Foreign Minister to visit Pakistan was Sushma Swaraj. She visited Islamabad in December 2015 to attend a conference on Afghanistan.
“External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will represent India at the meeting. India is actively engaged in the SCO format, including various mechanisms and initiatives within the SCO framework,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a brief statement in New Delhi. “
‘No India-Pak talks’
In his recent address at an event, Jaishankar said, “Like any neighbour, India would certainly like to have good relations with Pakistan.”
“But this cannot happen by ignoring cross-border terrorism and indulging in wishful thinking.”
The decision to send the senior minister to Pakistan, which is the host country of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit this time, is being seen as a demonstration of India’s commitment to the SCO.
The External Affairs Minister had earlier clearly stated that his visit to Islamabad was not to discuss “India-Pakistan relations” but was about the multilateral event – the SCO Summit 2024. Speaking further about his visit, Mr Jaishankar had emphasized that he was visiting Pakistan “only to become a good member of the SCO.”
security system
To ensure security of the 23rd SCO summit in Islamabad, the Pakistan Army has deployed to protect the event, key government buildings and the Red Zone area where the state guests are staying.
According to Pakistani news website Dawn report, the delegates will stay at various places located in or around the ‘Red Zone’ in Islamabad, as their accommodation has been arranged at 14 places in the capital.
SCO meeting in Pakistan
According to the program released by the Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson, the dinner hosted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is the only official event for the visiting leaders and delegations today.
The second day of the meeting will begin with Mr Sharif receiving the leaders at the Jinnah Convention Center in Islamabad. The conference proceedings will begin after a group photo and opening remarks by Prime Minister Sharif.
The signing of various documents will take place before Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and SCO Secretary General Zhang Ming make media statements. After this an official lunch will be organized by the Prime Minister of the country.
Other SCO member states are represented by the Prime Ministers of China, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, as well as the First Vice President of Iran. The Prime Minister of Mongolia (observer state) and Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and the Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan (special guest) will also participate in the meeting.
Mr Jaishankar is expected to be in Islamabad for only 24 hours and no India-Pakistan bilateral talks are scheduled or expected on the sidelines of the summit.
(Input from ANI, PTI, IANS)
