Pakistan to Host Critical SCO Summit
As the rotating chair of the SCO CHG, Pakistan will host the two-day summit in Islamabad, focusing on economic, financial, and humanitarian cooperation between member states. The event will include high-level ministerial meetings and senior officials’ discussions. This summit follows India’s virtual hosting of the SCO summit in 2023, where Pakistan’s then-Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif participated via video.
First High-Level Visit Since 2015
This marks the first Indian ministerial-level visit to Pakistan since 2015, when Sushma Swaraj attended the Heart of Asia Conference in Islamabad. That visit led to an important India-Pakistan joint statement announcing a Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue. However, despite this historical context, no bilateral meeting between Jaishankar and his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar, is confirmed this time.
India’s Continued Commitment to SCO Amid Strained Relations
Jaishankar’s participation highlights India’s commitment to the SCO, despite ongoing tensions with Pakistan. India views the SCO as a crucial platform for regional security and economic cooperation. While Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto visited India earlier in 2023 for the SCO Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Goa, no formal bilateral talks took place then, nor are they expected at the upcoming summit.
No Bilateral Talks Planned
While Jaishankar’s visit is seen as a reciprocation of Pakistan’s participation in the Goa meeting, Indian officials have not indicated any plans for bilateral talks with Pakistan. It remains unclear whether Jaishankar will stay in Islamabad overnight or fly back to India the same day.
Political Protests Add to Pakistan’s Unrest Ahead of Summit
The SCO summit in Islamabad coincides with rising political instability in Pakistan, fueled by protests from supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The Pakistani government has imposed strict security measures, including road closures and suspended mobile services, to control the unrest. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government has deployed paramilitary forces and police to prevent protests from disrupting the summit.
A Diplomatic Tightrope Amidst Regional Tensions
Jaishankar’s visit to Pakistan for the SCO meeting is a significant diplomatic step, showcasing India’s commitment to multilateralism despite its strained relationship with Pakistan. However, with no planned bilateral meetings and ongoing unrest in Pakistan, the visit highlights the complexities of navigating regional diplomacy in the current political climate.