India's Foreign Minister to Visit Pakistan for SCO Heads of Govt Meeting

Strategic Insights -

For the first time in nine years, an Indian foreign minister will travel to Pakistan, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar representing India at the SCO heads of government meeting in Islamabad on October 15-16. This development comes after Pakistan had invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the meeting, but with Modi's participation restricted to the heads of state summit. The visit is significant as India had the option of sending a junior minister or participating virtually, and it marks a bold move by India to stabilise its troubled relationship with Pakistan.

Key Takeaways:

  • The visit is a significant development in India-Pakistan relations, marking the first time in nine years that an Indian foreign minister will travel to Pakistan.
  • Pakistan had invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the meeting, but with Modi's participation restricted to the heads of state summit.
  • External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will represent India at the SCO heads of government meeting in Islamabad on October 15-16.
  • The visit is a formality in line with SCO protocol, but it opens the possibility of a rare high-level visit from India to Islamabad.
  • India has made a bold move by sending Jaishankar, signalling its desire to stabilise the troubled relationship with Pakistan.
  • The visit also underscores the significance India attaches to the Eurasian bloc, amid speculation over India's commitment to the grouping.
  • SCO remains an important platform for India to build ties with resource-rich central Asia.

Statistics:

  • India's last high commissioner to Pakistan, Ajay Bisaria, said Pakistan must seize this opportunity and propose a meaningful bilateral conversation on the SCO sidelines.
  • 9 years: the duration since an Indian foreign minister last visited Pakistan.
  • 15-16 October: the dates of the SCO heads of government meeting in Islamabad.
  • 2019: the year when India downgraded the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, leading to a troubled relationship between India and Pakistan.

Sources:

  • Times of India, "S Jaishankar to visit Pakistan for SCO heads of govt meeting" (October 7, 2022).
  • Press Information Bureau, "MEA Spokesperson Randeep Surjewala's Response to Questions" (August 25, 2022).
  • SCO, "SCO Heads of Government Meeting: Programme" (September 2022).