S Jaishankar Lands in Pakistan For SCO Summit, May Join Dinner Hosted By Shehbaz Sharif

New Delhi: S Jaishankar's much-awaited Pakistan visit is beginning today as the External Affairs Minister is travelling to Islamabad to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit on October 15 and October 16, 2024. Jaishankar has landed in Islamabad and may also join the welcome dinner hosted by the Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

S Jaishankar Lands in Pakistan for SCO Summit

S Jaishankar, India's Foreign Minister has landed in Pakistan for the SCO Summit to be held in Islamabad. This is going to be India's first visit to Pakistan in years, amid strained relations between the two countries. In a press briefing, the External Affairs Minister had clarified that he will be visiting Pakistan strictly for the summit and will not be engaging in dialogue over India-Pakistan relations.

India Issues Statement Hours Before Jaishankar's Pakistan Visit

India remains actively engaged in various mechanisms of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), New Delhi said on Tuesday, hours before External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar landed in Pakistan to attend a conclave of the influential regional grouping.

It will be the first visit by an Indian foreign minister in nearly a decade that comes amid continuing chill in India- Pakistan relations.

“The SCO CHG meeting is held annually and focuses on the trade and economic agenda of the Organisation," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

"External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will represent India at the meeting. India remains actively engaged in the SCO format, including various mechanisms and initiatives within the SCO framework," it said in a brief statement in New Delhi.

Jaishankar Pakistan Visit for SCO Summit: What to Expect

EAM Dr S Jaishankar said, “It (visit) will be for a multilateral event. I'm not going there to discuss India- Pakistan relations. I'm going there to be a good member of the SCO. But, you know, since I'm a courteous and civil person, I will behave myself accordingly.”

"If one our neighbours is serving terrorism then there cannot be normal talks with such countries. But India has done more regional trade than any country, this is because we have emphasized 'neighborhood first", S Jaishankar added.

SCO Summit 2024: Dates, Members Attending

As mentioned earlier, the SCO Summit is being organised on October 15 and October 16 in Islamabad, Pakistan . As per reports, the summit will be attended by the following nations -

• 4-member delegation from India
• 15-member delegation from China
• 76-member delegation from Pakistan
• 7 representatives of SCO
• 2-member delegation from Iran
• 4-member delegation from Kyrgyzstan

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar are among the dignitaries who are part of the SCO Summit Guest List.

Islamabad on High Alert for SCO Summit

The 23rd meeting of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is being held in Islamabad and amid security threats, the host city of Islamabad is on high alert.

Islamabad Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Nasir Ali Rizvi said in a statement, “Security personnel will be deployed at funnel areas, hotels and places where foreign delegations are staying. A comprehensive plan has been chalked out.” According to the police chief, 9000 police personnel have been deployed to ensure the safety and security of the locals and the guests attending the SCO Summit; army troops have been deployed and all sorts of rallies and protests in Islamabad have also been banned in Islamabad.

A detailed traffic advisory has also been issued for the locals living in Islamabad for their convenience. Search and information-based searches are also being conducted with Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps and Rangers and the intelligence agencies.

(Inputs from PTI)