Indian FM to visit Pakistan for 1st time in decade for SCO summit

Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar is set to make a historic visit to Pakistan on Tuesday, marking the first such visit by an Indian foreign minister in nearly a decade. This visit comes as a significant step towards improving the strained relations between the two neighboring countries.

Jaishankar’s visit to Islamabad is in response to an invitation extended by his Pakistani counterpart, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, to attend the 19th Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of Government. This summit will provide an opportunity for both countries to engage in meaningful discussions and explore ways to strengthen cooperation in various areas.

The SCO is a regional intergovernmental organization that promotes cooperation in the fields of politics, security, economy, and culture among its member states. India and Pakistan became full members of the SCO in 2017, and this will be the first time that both countries will participate in a summit together.

The last time an Indian foreign minister visited Pakistan was in 2012 when S.M. Krishna attended the 37th SAARC Council of Ministers meeting. However, this visit by Jaishankar is being seen as a significant development in the bilateral relations between the two countries, which have been marred by decades of hostility and mistrust.

The Indian government has stated that Jaishankar’s visit is in line with its “neighbourhood first” policy, which aims to strengthen ties with its neighboring countries. This visit also reflects India’s commitment to regional cooperation and its efforts to promote peace and stability in the region.

During his visit, Jaishankar is expected to hold bilateral meetings with his Pakistani counterpart and other SCO member states. These meetings will provide an opportunity for both countries to discuss issues of mutual interest and explore ways to enhance cooperation in various areas, including trade, connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges.

The visit also holds significance as it comes at a time when the two countries are engaged in a bitter dispute over the Kashmir region. However, India has maintained that the issue of Kashmir is an internal matter and has urged Pakistan to stop its support for cross-border terrorism.

This visit by Jaishankar is a positive step towards building trust and confidence between the two countries. It is a clear indication that both India and Pakistan are willing to engage in dialogue and find solutions to their long-standing issues.

The people of both countries have always shared a strong cultural and historical bond, and it is time to put aside past differences and work towards a peaceful and prosperous future. The visit of the Indian foreign minister to Pakistan is a step in the right direction and will pave the way for further engagement and cooperation between the two nations.

The Indian government has also expressed hope that this visit will lead to a positive outcome and contribute to the overall development and progress of the region. It is a testament to India’s commitment to regional cooperation and its efforts to promote peace and stability in South Asia.

In conclusion, the visit of Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to Pakistan is a significant step towards improving bilateral relations between the two countries. It is a clear indication of India’s willingness to engage in dialogue and work towards finding solutions to their long-standing issues. This visit holds immense potential for enhancing cooperation and promoting peace and stability in the region. Let us hope that this visit will pave the way for a brighter future for both India and Pakistan.