Jaishankar Rules Out Bilateral Talks with Pakistan at SCO Summit

External Affairs Minister of India, S Jaishankar is set to visit Pakistan in mid-October to attend the SCO conclave. According to the PTI, he made it clear that his visit will focus solely on the multilateral event, not bilateral discussions with Pakistan.

Speaking at an event in New Delhi, Jaishankar stated, “I’m going there to be a good member of the SCO, not to discuss India-Pakistan relations.” He added that while he would be civil and courteous during his visit the purpose remains strictly related to the SCO summit.

Jaishankar also pointed to Pakistan’s role in the ongoing stagnation of the SAARC, noting that cross-border terrorism from Pakistan has hindered the progress of the organization. “There cannot be business as usual in SAARC while one member continues to sponsor terrorism,” he remarked.

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After the visit of Sushma Swaraj in 2015 this visit by the Indian external minister to Pakistan will be the first visit in Modi’s government. India remains committed to its regional and multilateral obligations, attending the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Islamabad on October 15-16.