Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar praised Pakistan’s hospitality during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit held in Islamabad.
Jaishankar, who became the first Indian foreign minister to visit Pakistan in nearly a decade, expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.
Diplomatic acknowledgement
After attending the two-day regional summit, Jaishankar posted on X (formerly Twitter), acknowledging the warm reception by the Pakistani government: “Departing from Islamabad. Thank PM @CMShehbaz, DPM & FM @MIshaqDar50 and the Government of Pakistan for the hospitality and courtesies.”
A diplomatic icebreaker
The visit, which marked the first of its kind in 10 years, was seen as an “ice breaker” by Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.
Although no formal bilateral meeting occurred between Jaishankar and Pakistani officials, the presence of both leaders at the summit was viewed as a positive step.
“His arrival here is an ice breaker,” said Tarar, adding that the handshake between Prime Minister Shehbaz and Jaishankar during an official dinner for SCO leaders sent positive signals globally.
Focus on Trust and Regional Cooperation
During his address at the summit, Jaishankar called for an honest discussion on the lack of trust between nations, emphasising the need for mutual respect, sovereignty, and genuine partnerships. He warned that regional cooperation could be hindered if issues like cross-border terrorism, extremism, and separatism persist.
The Indian foreign minister also highlighted the potential for collaboration in areas such as industrial cooperation, trade, investment, and climate change initiatives. He stressed that regional development could be accelerated through joint efforts, benefiting businesses and labor markets.
PM Shehbaz and Jaishankar’s rare exchange
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Jaishankar greeted each other with a handshake at the dinner reception, a symbolic moment given the strained relations between the two countries since 2019.
Conclusion of the SCO Summit
As the SCO summit concluded, Jaishankar reflected positively on the event, noting that India had made constructive contributions and signed eight key documents. He reiterated India’s commitment to supporting the SCO’s mission and its multi-polar world vision.
