Indian FM to Visit Pakistan for SCO Summit Amid Tense Relations
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar is set to attend the SCO summit in Pakistan, marking the first such visit in nearly a decade. The event occurs against a backdrop of strained ties between the nuclear-armed neighbors.
Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India's Foreign Minister, is scheduled to lead the Indian delegation to Pakistan for the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on October 15-16, 2024. This visit marks a significant diplomatic event, being the first by an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan in almost ten years.
The SCO, established in 2001, aims to foster mutual trust and cooperation among its member states. India and Pakistan joined as full members in 2017, adding a new dimension to the organization's dynamics. This summit provides a rare opportunity for high-level interaction between the two nations, whose relations have been marred by longstanding disputes and recent tensions.
The Kashmir issue remains at the heart of the strained relationship between India and Pakistan. The region has been a point of contention since the partition of India in 1947, with both countries claiming it in its entirety. The Line of Control (LoC), established by the Simla Agreement of 1972, divides Kashmir between the two nations.
India has consistently accused Pakistan of supporting militant activities in the region, a claim that Islamabad denies. The situation escalated in 2019 when India revoked Kashmir's special autonomy status and reorganized the region, leading to a further deterioration in bilateral ties.
The history of India-Pakistan relations is punctuated by conflicts and attempts at reconciliation. The countries have fought three major wars since independence, with the Kargil War in 1999 being the last significant military engagement. Both nations conducted nuclear tests in 1998, adding a new dimension to regional security concerns.
Despite the challenges, there have been efforts to maintain channels of communication. The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, which governs water sharing between the two countries, has largely withstood the test of time. More recently, the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor in 2019 allowed Indian Sikhs to visit a holy site in Pakistan, demonstrating the potential for cooperation on religious and cultural matters.
"Subrahmanyam Jaishankar will lead the Indian delegation to Pakistan for the summit of Eurasian leaders on Oct. 15 and 16."
However, the spokesperson did not confirm whether Jaishankar would engage in bilateral meetings with Pakistani officials during the visit. This cautious approach reflects the delicate nature of the diplomatic situation.
The last high-level interaction between the two countries occurred in May 2023, when then-Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari attended the SCO foreign ministers' meeting in India's Goa state. While no direct meetings took place between the Indian and Pakistani representatives, the forum provided an opportunity for both sides to express their positions.
As the SCO summit approaches, the international community will be watching closely to see if this visit can pave the way for improved dialogue between India and Pakistan. The event offers a platform for potential diplomatic breakthroughs, although expectations remain measured given the complex history and current state of bilateral relations.
