S. Jaishankar Attends Dinner Hosted by Pakistan PM Ahead of Key SCO Summit

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attended a dinner hosted by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Tuesday evening, ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of Government Summit. This marks the first visit by a senior Indian official to Pakistan in nearly a decade, underscoring the significance of multilateral diplomacy in the region despite lingering bilateral tensions.

S. Jaishankar’s Historic Visit

Jaishankar’s presence at the summit is particularly notable, as it’s the first time in nine years that an Indian foreign minister has stepped foot in Pakistan. His predecessor, Sushma Swaraj, made the last official visit in December 2015 to attend a conference on Afghanistan. Since then, diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan have been largely frozen, exacerbated by cross-border tensions and terrorist attacks. Jaishankar’s visit, although strictly for multilateral discussions, has stirred curiosity in both countries about its potential impact on their strained relationship.

Upon arrival at the Nur Khan airbase, Jaishankar was received by senior Pakistani officials. The highlight of the evening was his brief interaction with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at an official dinner. The two leaders exchanged a cordial handshake and brief pleasantries, but as both sides had already clarified, no formal bilateral meeting was scheduled during the summit.

Focus of the SCO Summit

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of Government summit, which runs from October 15-16, is focused on strengthening cooperation in key areas such as trade, economy, regional connectivity, and socio-cultural exchanges. Member states, including India, Pakistan, China, Russia, and Central Asian nations, will review ongoing projects and chart a path for future collaboration.

Pakistan, which assumed the rotating chair of the SCO Council of Heads of Government in 2023, is keen to use this platform to highlight its role in regional stability and economic development. The SCO is an important multilateral group that seeks to foster regional cooperation in political, security, economic, and cultural matters, with a strong emphasis on counterterrorism and anti-drug initiatives.

No Bilateral Talks, Only Multilateral Diplomacy

Despite Jaishankar’s attendance, both Indian and Pakistani officials have ruled out any bilateral discussions on the sidelines of the SCO summit. Tensions between the two nations have remained high, with India maintaining its firm stance that “terror and talks cannot go hand-in-hand.” In recent years, relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors have been strained by a series of terror attacks attributed to Pakistan-based militants, as well as issues surrounding Kashmir.

In a statement before his visit, Jaishankar reiterated India’s desire for peace with its neighbor but underscored that cross-border terrorism must end before any meaningful talks can resume. “Like with any neighbor, India would certainly like to have good relations with Pakistan,” he said, “but that cannot happen by overlooking cross-border terrorism and indulging in wishful thinking.”

Security Tightened for the SCO Summit

As the summit is a major event for Pakistan, the country has taken extensive security measures to ensure the safety of the visiting delegations. More than 10,000 police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed across Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Army Rangers have been stationed to secure key government buildings and maintain control over the Red Zone area, where high-profile meetings are set to take place. Several businesses have been temporarily closed, and key routes in the capital city were shut down to minimize security risks.

Despite the extensive security measures, Pakistan has expressed its intent to focus on the economic and cooperative aspects of the summit. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during the dinner reception, underscored the importance of the SCO as a platform for dialogue and partnership among Eurasian nations.

Cultural Diplomacy and Jaishankar’s Meetings

The official dinner also featured a cultural program, with a Bharatanatyam dance performance by a Pakistani dancer—a gesture symbolizing cross-cultural ties between the nations. While Jaishankar did not have a formal bilateral meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar, he briefly greeted Chinese Premier Li Qiang and other dignitaries present at the event.

During the summit, Jaishankar is expected to address the assembly, reiterating India’s stance on regional stability and cooperation. He is also likely to emphasize the need for respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity—issues that resonate deeply with India, particularly in its engagements with Pakistan and China.

A Decade of Stagnation in India-Pakistan Relations

The last major diplomatic exchange between India and Pakistan occurred during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s surprise visit to then-Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in 2015. However, the hope for improved relations was soon dashed by terror attacks in India, which led to a complete freeze in dialogue.

Since then, India has consistently maintained that any talks with Pakistan must be predicated on the cessation of terrorist activities emanating from its soil. Pakistan, for its part, has advocated for dialogue without preconditions, though it has not made significant efforts to address India’s core concerns.

Looking Ahead: Can the SCO Open a Path to Dialogue?

While no breakthroughs in India-Pakistan relations are expected during this visit, Jaishankar’s presence at the summit does hold symbolic significance. Some analysts believe that even a brief meeting on the sidelines of the SCO could pave the way for future engagements. However, as former Pakistan Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar noted, a bilateral meeting could provoke protests from opposition groups, making it politically sensitive for the current Pakistani government.

In India, experts like former High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria suggest that by sending Jaishankar to Pakistan, India has taken the first step toward potential engagement, but the onus is now on Pakistan to reciprocate with tangible efforts to address India’s concerns.

For now, the focus remains on the SCO’s agenda, which highlights the importance of regional cooperation in the face of global challenges. Whether this summit can open a door to better India-Pakistan relations in the future remains to be seen.