India’s Foreign Minister Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has landed in Pakistan, ahead of the highly anticipated 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
The arrival on Tuesday marks the first visit by an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan in nearly a decade.
Jaishankar was welcomed by Pakistani officials on the tarmac at Islamabad International Airport, arriving before the summit’s opening dinner hosted by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The SCO, which includes key regional players like China, Russia, and India, will focus on discussions related to regional security, economic cooperation, and counterterrorism.
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While Jaishankar’s visit is seen as significant, the Indian foreign ministry has stated that the minister will not engage in bilateral talks with his Pakistani counterpart.
Kyrgyz PM Akylbek Japarov arrives in Pakistan for SCO summit
Kyrgyz Prime Minister Akylbek Japarov arrived in Pakistan to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
He was warmly welcomed with a red carpet reception at Nur Khan Airbase by Federal Minister for Petroleum Musadik Malik and other senior civil and military officials, according to Express news.
During the reception, children dressed in traditional attire presented bouquets to the esteemed guest, while both leaders exchanged goodwill remarks.
The visit aims to strengthen ties between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan during this significant multilateral meeting.
Accompanying Prime Minister Japarov is a high-level delegation, which includes the Ministers of Economy and Trade, the Deputy Foreign Minister, and the Deputy Liaison Officer for the SCO.
Pakistan’s ambassador to Kyrgyzstan and other senior embassy officials were also present to welcome the delegation.
The SCO summit is expected to address various regional issues, enhancing collaboration among member states.
Prime Minister Japarov's visit underscores Kyrgyzstan's commitment to fostering closer relations with Pakistan.
As the preparations for the SCO summit intensified, delegates from various member states began to arrive in Islamabad. The Pakistani government worked diligently to ensure the venue was ready to accommodate the high-profile attendees. Local authorities arranged security protocols and logistical support for the visiting dignitaries, aiming to facilitate smooth proceedings during the summit.
Delegates start arriving for SCO summit
Earlier, Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang arrived in Islamabad for a three-day official visit, marking the first trip by a Chinese premier to Pakistan in 11 years.
Premier Qiang who arrived in Islamabad on the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will attend the 23rd meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
In addition to the significant delegation from China, representatives from other SCO member states were seen arriving in the capital.
Reports highlighted the arrival of officials from Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, who expressed optimism about the upcoming discussions.
Their presence underscored the importance of the summit in enhancing regional cooperation and addressing shared challenges.
The arrival of Indian delegates also attracted attention, given the historically complex relationship between India and Pakistan.
Analysts noted that the participation of the External Affairs Minister of India marked a crucial moment for diplomacy in the region.
This development indicated a willingness to engage in dialogue, despite ongoing tensions.
As the summit date approached, officials were hopeful for fruitful discussions among the leaders.
With issues ranging from trade and security to counter-terrorism on the agenda, the meeting presented a platform for addressing mutual concerns and fostering collaborative efforts among member states.
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