Jaishankar to lead Indian delegation to participate in SCO summit in Pakistan

New Delhi, Oct 4: Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar will lead a delegation to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Pakistan on October 15 to 16, according to MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

The announcement in a weekly press briefing on Friday by the MEA has drawn attention due to the complex dynamics of India-Pakistan relations and the unique role of the SCO as one of the few multilateral platforms where both nations engage despite their strained ties.

The MEA spokesman while answering several questions regarding the visit of the external affairs minister to Pakistan said, “The meeting is more related to the SCO summit rather than the Pakistan visit.

However, he did not mention whether any bilateral meeting with Pakistan’s foreign minister or any other leaders would take place.

This potential visit would be significant, marking the first time an Indian External Affairs Minister has visited Pakistan since 2015.

Such a move would signal India’s commitment to the SCO’s broader objectives while bypassing the need for direct bilateral negotiations.

This approach would allow India to fulfil its multilateral obligations without the optics of high-level diplomatic engagement with Pakistan.

The SCO, founded in 2001, serves as a platform for security and economic cooperation across Eurasia and includes influential members such as Russia, China, and several Central Asian countries.

For India, active participation in the SCO is critical for maintaining its strategic interests in the region.

Despite its historically tense relationship with Pakistan, India has consistently participated in SCO meetings.

In 2023, for instance, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto attended an SCO meeting hosted by India, highlighting the organisation’s role as a venue for diplomatic engagement, even amid hostilities.

The upcoming summit offers India a crucial opportunity to reinforce its role in regional cooperation while managing the delicate balance of its relationship with Pakistan.