WATCH: EAM S Jaishankar, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif Shake Hands In Islamabad Ahead Of SCO Summit 2024

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif met informally in Islamabad ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit.

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif welcomes EAM Dr S Jaishankar to a dinner hosted by him in Islamabad

Source : ANI

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met in Islamabad on Tuesday during an informal dinner hosted by Sharif. The meeting took place amidst the backdrop of the 23rd Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (CHG) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), for which Jaishankar is in Pakistan's capital. The leaders exchanged greetings and shook hands during the gathering.

This marks the first visit by an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan in nearly nine years, highlighting a rare moment of engagement between the two countries, whose ties remain tense over cross-border terrorism originating from Pakistan. The External Affairs Minister to visit Pakistan was Sushma Swaraj.

#WATCH | Islamabad: Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif welcomes EAM Dr S Jaishankar and other SCO Council Heads of Government, to a dinner hosted by him.

EAM is in Pakistan to participate in the 23rd Meeting of SCO Council of Heads of Government.

(Video: ANI; visuals earlier this… pic.twitter.com/dNA5N3hsQ0

— ANI (@ANI) October 15, 2024

Jaishankar In Islamabad For SCO Summit 2024

Earlier in the day, Jaishankar arrived in Islamabad, where he was warmly welcomed at Nur Khan Airbase by Ilyas Mehmood Nizami, Director General (South Asia) of Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As part of the reception, children in traditional attire presented bouquets to the minister, and a red carpet was laid out.

Jaishankar shared a post on X, stating, "Landed in Islamabad to take part in SCO Council of Heads of Government Meeting."

Landed in Islamabad to take part in SCO Council of Heads of Government Meeting. pic.twitter.com/PQ4IFPZtlp

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) October 15, 2024

The SCO Summit 2024, commencing on Wednesday, will focus on the trade and economic agenda of the SCO, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. Jaishankar will lead the Indian delegation at the event, with heightened security arrangements in place for the gathering in Islamabad.

The two-day SCO CHG meeting, considered the second most significant forum within the organisation, is set to be chaired by Shehbaz Sharif in his role as the current chair of the Council. Pakistan assumed the rotating chairmanship for 2023-24 at the previous meeting held in Bishkek on October 26, 2023, where then interim Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani represented the country.