Hope for Diplomatic Breakthrough in Kashmir as India’s Foreign Minister Rules out Discussion with Pakistan
India’s Foreign Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, has stated that he will not engage in discussions about bilateral relations with Pakistan during his upcoming visit to attend the 2024 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. Jaishankar emphasized that his primary focus at the summit will be on multilateral events rather than bilateral talks.
Despite the strained relations between India and Pakistan since a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir in 2019, Jaishankar’s visit has sparked media speculation about a potential dialogue with Pakistani counterparts at the summit.
Meanwhile, prominent Kashmir leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has urged both countries to “break the ice and engage constructively” at the SCO summit. Farooq highlighted the opportunity for a peaceful resolution to the long-standing conflict in the region, emphasizing the need for a fair and conclusive end to the uncertainty faced by generations of Kashmiris.
The SCO summit, which includes countries like India, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan, presents a platform to foster regional cooperation and deepen ties among Central Asian states. While India’s decision to attend the summit in Pakistan is seen as a commitment to the SCO, the broader outlook for India-Pakistan relations remains uncertain following past escalations and political changes in Kashmir.