“No Talks with Pakistan, Only Attending SCO,” Says Jaishankar Ahead of Pakistan Visit
Jaishankar shared his plans about upcoming SCO meet up won't engage in bilateral talks with pakistan
Jaishankar will attend the SCO meeting in Pakistan, but no talks with Pakistan planned.
India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to travel to Pakistan in mid-October to attend a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). However, he has made it clear that he will not hold any talks with Pakistan during this visit.
Jaishankar stated, “My 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 and that, out of courtesy, he would behave appropriately while in Pakistan.
#WATCH | Delhi: On his upcoming visit to Pakistan to attend the SCO summit, EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, “…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… pic.twitter.com/XAK2Hg3qSX
— ANI (@ANI) October 5, 2024
During his remarks, Jaishankar indirectly criticized Pakistan for its role in the lack of progress in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). He pointed out that SAARC has not been active recently because of issues with one of its members, referring to Pakistan’s alleged involvement in cross-border terrorism. “There is one member of SAARC who is practicing cross-border terrorism against at least one more member,” he explained. He believes that terrorism is unacceptable and has hindered cooperation in the region.
Jaishankar emphasized that India will not engage in bilateral discussions with Pakistan until it stops supporting cross-border terrorism. He underscored that the lack of SAARC meetings does not mean regional cooperation has halted, noting increased regional integration in the Indian subcontinent over the past few years.
The SCO, which Jaishankar will be attending, is a political, economic, and security organization formed in 2001 by China and Russia. It has grown to become the world’s largest regional organization, covering about 80% of Eurasia and 40% of the global population. In recent years, it has expanded to include eight member states, including India and Pakistan, and welcomed Iran in July 2023.
Jaishankar’s visit to Pakistan highlights the complex relationship between the two countries and the ongoing challenges in regional cooperation.
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