Neither India nor Pakistan has requested a bilateral meeting at the upcoming SCO summit in Islamabad, despite India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, attending. The Pakistani government plans to host him with full protocol. Security remains a key concern due to ongoing political protests within Pakistan, alongside statements from senior officials about external influences on domestic unrest.
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, neither India nor Pakistan have sought a bilateral meeting during the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of Government meeting scheduled for October 15-16 in Islamabad. Mr. Dar stated that Pakistan will receive India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar with full protocol, emphasizing the importance of being a considerate host. Mr. Jaishankar, along with other SCO leaders, is expected to arrive in Islamabad, where a significant focus will be on the bilateral meeting between Russian and Chinese leaders and the Pakistani government. The External Affairs Minister’s presence marks the first visit by an Indian Foreign Minister to Pakistan in nearly a decade. Previous discussions about potential bilateral ties have seen little progress since relations between the two nations deteriorated in 2019. While Mr. Dar expressed that no bilateral discussions are anticipated, he noted that Pakistan would still engage with other SCO members on issues concerning connectivity and energy initiatives like the TAPI pipeline. However, these discussions will not form part of the SCO’s formal agenda. Amid security concerns highlighted by ongoing political tensions within Pakistan, particularly demonstrations by the opposition party, the government announced extensive security measures, including the deployment of over 9,000 police personnel. This increased police presence aims to prevent protests, especially as former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s supporters have threatened demonstrations coinciding with the SCO summit.
The article discusses the diplomatic context surrounding the scheduled SCO Heads of Government meeting in Islamabad, where the presence of Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar marks an important, yet cautious, engagement between India and Pakistan. Given the historical and ongoing tensions between the two nations, the lack of a request for bilateral meetings signals continued strife in diplomatic relations. The backdrop of domestic political unrest in Pakistan adds another layer of complexity to the security and operational management of the summit.
In summary, the upcoming SCO meeting in Islamabad features the notable attendance of India’s External Affairs Minister, yet no bilateral talks between India and Pakistan are on the agenda. Pakistan’s government is keen to showcase its hospitality while simultaneously managing domestic unrest. The events leading up to the summit reflect both countries’ challenges in navigating their historically fraught relationship, with external and internal pressures complicating potential diplomatic breakthroughs.
Original Source: www.thehindu.com
