In a rare diplomatic moment, India’s Jaishankar dine with PM Shehbaz Sharif at a event hosted for the leaders attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Islamabad. The interaction between the Indian foreign minister and the Pakistani prime minister comes against a backdrop of strained relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, with no formal bilateral meetings scheduled during the event. However, the presence of these figures at the dinner has caught the attention of international observers, given the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan.
India’s Jaishankar Dine with PM Shehbaz in An All Important Meeting
Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar’s arrival in Islamabad for the SCO summit marks the first visit by an Indian official of his stature in nearly a decade. The SCO summit, currently hosted by Pakistan, brings together leaders from several major Eurasian nations. Despite the long-standing diplomatic freeze between India and Pakistan, India’s Jaishankar dined with PM Shehbaz as part of the high-profile event, signifying a rare instance of engagement between the two countries at a global forum. Both leaders exchanged pleasantries as Prime Minister Shehbaz welcomed foreign dignitaries at the official dinner.
The SCO summit is considered an important platform for developing regional cooperation, and Jaishankar’s presence in Islamabad is seen as an effort by both nations to navigate their shared involvement in multilateral forums despite their bilateral tensions. However, it was confirmed that no private discussions or official meetings between the Indian and Pakistani leadership are on the agenda, leaving analysts to speculate on future prospects for diplomatic engagement.
The Regional Context of SCO Summit
The 23rd meeting of the SCO’s Council of Heads of Government (CHG) is one of the highest-profile events hosted in Pakistan in recent years. Leaders from China, Russia, Iran, and other member states have gathered in Islamabad to discuss a wide range of issues, including economic cooperation, security, and socio-cultural ties. With heightened security, the summit has drawn considerable global attention due to the involvement of several influential nations.
Though the spotlight remains on the overarching goals of the SCO, the attendance of Indian and Pakistani officials has added a twist to the event. Relations between the two countries have remained largely frozen since 2019, when Pakistan downgraded its diplomatic ties with India following the revocation of Article 370, which stripped Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) of its special status. As no bilateral discussions are expected, the summit is a reminder of the diplomatic stalemate while also showcasing the importance of regional multilateralism.
The SCO, comprising Pakistan, China, India, Russia, and several other nations, continues to offer a platform for regional powers to engage in dialogue and cooperation. While the immediate focus of the summit will be on economic and security matters, the presence of both Indian and Pakistani leaders suggests that even in times of strained relations, shared platforms like the SCO remain vital for promoting dialogue, however limited.
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