Indian FM to Attend SCO Summit in Pakistan, Bilateral Talks Not on Agenda

Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India's Minister of External Affairs, is set to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Pakistan on October 15-16, 2024. This visit marks a significant diplomatic event, being the first high-level visit by an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan in nearly a decade.

The SCO, founded in 2001, has evolved into a prominent regional organization focusing on security, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange. India and Pakistan joined as full members in 2017, adding to the organization's geopolitical significance.

Jaishankar emphasized that his visit is strictly for the multilateral event and not intended to address bilateral relations between India and Pakistan. He stated:

"I expect there would be a lot of media interest because of the very nature of the relationship. But I do want to say it will be for a multilateral event. I am not going there to discuss India-Pakistan relations."

The relationship between India and Pakistan has been complex and often tense since their independence in 1947. The two nations have engaged in four wars, with the Kashmir region remaining a primary point of contention. Both countries possess nuclear capabilities, adding to the regional security dynamics.

In 2019, diplomatic ties were downgraded in reciprocal actions, further straining the already fragile relationship. The last bilateral summit between Indian and Pakistani prime ministers occurred in 2015, highlighting the prolonged period of limited high-level engagement.

Jaishankar, who assumed his current role in 2019 after serving as India's Foreign Secretary from 2015 to 2018, has previously addressed the challenges in India-Pakistan relations. He emphasized the need to address "years-old cross-border terrorism" while maintaining that it cannot be considered the "policy of a good neighbor."

The minister's approach to the upcoming summit reflects a commitment to diplomatic courtesy within the multilateral framework of the SCO. He stated:

"I am going there to be a good member of the SCO but since I am a courteous and civil person, I will behave myself accordingly."

While bilateral discussions are not on the agenda, the visit occurs against a backdrop of various regional initiatives. These include the Kartarpur Corridor, a visa-free passage for Sikh pilgrims, and the historical context of cricket diplomacy occasionally employed to ease tensions.

The SCO summit provides a platform for regional cooperation, with member states addressing shared concerns. As nuclear-armed neighbors and members of the Commonwealth of Nations, India and Pakistan's participation in such forums carries significant weight in regional dynamics.

As the summit approaches, the international community will be closely observing this rare high-level interaction between the two South Asian nations, set against the backdrop of their shared cultural heritage, exemplified by the ancient Indus Valley Civilization that once spanned across their modern territories.