India’s Foreign Minister Jaishankar made a significant visit to Pakistan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. Despite no planned bilateral talks, Jaishankar aims to represent India at the meeting, highlighting the country’s active engagement in the SCO format. The SCO, consisting of major countries including China, Russia, and Pakistan, addresses security issues but will focus on trade and cultural aspects during the Islamabad summit.
This visit marks the first by a top Indian envoy to Pakistan in nearly a decade, signaling a potential thaw in relations. Previous hopes for better ties between the two nations soured in 2019 after India revoked Kashmir’s autonomy, leading to a diplomatic fallout. The historical and ongoing conflict in Kashmir, claimed by both India and Pakistan, remains a persistent issue.
The verbal spat between Jaishankar and Pakistan’s former foreign minister at a previous SCO meeting underscores the tension between the neighboring countries. Despite obstacles, Jaishankar’s visit represents an opportunity for dialogue and diplomatic engagement in the region.
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