Jaishankar Takes Morning Walk at Indian High Commission During Pakistan SCO Summit Visit
Islamabad, 16th October 2024: External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar took a morning walk at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad on Tuesday during his visit to Pakistan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. Jaishankar is attending the SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting, held on October 15 and 16. During his time at the High Commission, Jaishankar also planted a sapling on the premises.
Upon his arrival in Pakistan, he was received at Nur Khan airbase by senior Pakistani officials. This visit is notable as it marks the first time in nearly nine years that an Indian foreign minister has visited Pakistan, with the last trip being Sushma Swaraj’s visit in December 2015 for an Afghanistan-related conference. Relations between the two countries have been strained due to the ongoing Kashmir issue and concerns about cross-border terrorism.
Jaishankar is expected to attend a banquet hosted by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for SCO delegates, but no bilateral talks with his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar, are scheduled. In a recent speech, Jaishankar remarked that while India desires good relations with Pakistan, such a goal is impossible without addressing cross-border terrorism.
Sending a senior minister to Pakistan is considered a signal of India’s commitment to its role within the SCO.
