ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met during a dinner for leaders attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Islamabad.
The leaders shook hands and exchanged greetings during a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for leaders attending the SCO summit.
This marked Jaishankar’s first visit to Pakistan as foreign minister and the first by an Indian official in nearly a decade, underscoring the importance of the occasion.
The 23rd meeting of the SCO’s Council of Heads of Government is being held in Islamabad, with strict security measures in place to ensure a smooth event. Jaishankar arrived shortly before 3:30 PM at an airbase near the capital, where he was greeted by children presenting bouquets of flowers.
The SCO summit, a prominent Eurasian political and security forum established in 2001 by Russia and China, represents one of the highest-profile events Pakistan has hosted in years. Prime Minister Sharif will lead high-level discussions involving prime ministers and senior officials from SCO member states.
Key nations participating include China, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref and India’s Foreign Minister Jaishankar are also in attendance, along with special guests such as the Prime Minister of Mongolia and the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan.
As delegations arrived, Islamabad showcased its hospitality with colorful lights, floral decorations, and flags from SCO member states. A red carpet was rolled out to honor the guests, highlighting the significance of this diplomatic gathering. Children dressed in traditional attire welcomed dignitaries with flowers, enhancing the festive atmosphere.
While the handshake between Sharif and Jaishankar was a notable gesture, both sides have clarified that no bilateral meeting is planned during the summit. Relations between Pakistan and India have remained strained since 2019, when Pakistan downgraded diplomatic ties following India’s revocation of Article 370, which had granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
As the summit progresses, it remains to be seen whether this historic encounter could pave the way for future dialogue between the two nations, as regional leaders gather to discuss pressing issues and foster cooperation within the SCO framework.
