SCO Summit: External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif shook hands and exchanged greetings in a rare occurrence on Tuesday (October 15) as the latter received foreign dignitaries at a dinner hosted for Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) leaders in Islamabad. The visuals showed the two leaders exchanging words while also shaking hands with each other, before Jaishankar walked away as Sharif showed him the way. The EAM arrived in the Pakistani capital city earlier in the day to lead a delegation at the SCO Council of Heads of Government Meeting. This marked the first visit by an Indian External Affairs Minister to Pakistan in 9 years.
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif
Jaishankar arrives in Islamabad
Jaishankar's aircraft landed at the Nur Khan airbase on the outskirts of the Pakistani capital city at around 3:30 pm (local time) and he was greeted by senior Pakistani officials. It is the first time in nearly nine years that India's foreign minister travelled to Pakistan even as the ties between the two neighbours remained tense over the Kashmir issue and cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan.
The last Indian Foreign Minister to visit Pakistan was Sushma Swaraj.
She had travelled to Islamabad to attend the 'Heart of Asia' conference on Afghanistan held from December 8-9, 2015.
Jaishankar's visit to Pakistan assumes significance as it is seen as a significant decision on New Delhi's part.
In his recent address at an event, Jaishankar said "like with any neighbour, India would certainly like to have good relations with Pakistan." "But that cannot happen by overlooking cross-border terrorism and indulging in wishful thinking." The decision to send the senior minister is seen as a display of India's commitment to the SCO.
Sharif holds bilateral meetings with SCO leaders, discusses cooperation
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday held separate meetings with leaders of various SCO member states on the sidelines of the summit, exchanging ideas to promote bilateral ties and strengthen the intergovernmental international organisation.
Pakistan is hosting the two-day SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) summit on October 15 and 16. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) comprises China, India, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus — with 16 more countries affiliated as observers or “dialogue partners”.
According to official statements, Sharif held separate meetings with Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko, Tajik Prime Minister Qohir Rasulzoda, and Kyrgyz Prime Minister Akylbek Japarov, discussing ways to further strengthen bilateral relations.
(With inputs from agencies)
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