MEA Confirms Jaishankar-Led Delegation For SCO Summit In Islamabad, Reacts To Zakir Naik Reception In Pak
EAM Jaishankar will lead a delegation to Pakistan for the SCO summit in Islamabad on October 15-16, the MEA confirmed as it also reacted to Pakistan's reception of fugitive Zakir Naik.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Friday that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will lead the Indian delegation to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Islamabad, scheduled for October 15 and 16. It marks the first visit by an Indian External Affairs Minister to Pakistan since Sushma Swaraj attended a conference on Afghanistan in Islamabad in December 2015. This visit comes after Pakistan extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in August to attend the SCO summit.
"The external affairs minister will lead our delegation to Pakistan to participate in the SCO summit which will be held in Islamabad on October 15 and 16," Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing.
#WATCH | MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "EAM Jaishankar will lead a delegation to Pakistan for the SCO summit which will be held in Islamabad on 15th and 16th October..." pic.twitter.com/HP7cSzH6AI
— ANI (@ANI) October 4, 2024
In response to the recent visit of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik to Pakistan, where he met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal expressed India’s disappointment. Jaiswal remarked, “We have seen reports that he [Zakir Naik] has been fitted into Pakistan and warmly welcomed there. It is not surprising for us that an Indian fugitive has received a high-level welcome in Pakistan. It is disappointing and condemnable but not surprising.”
#WATCH | MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "We have seen reports that he (Zakir Naik) has been fitted into Pakistan and warmly welcomed there. It is not surprising for us that an Indian fugitive has received a high-level welcome in Pakistan. It is disappointing and… pic.twitter.com/L5dL3hLmEz
— ANI (@ANI) October 4, 2024
Naik, who fled India in 2016 amid allegations of money laundering and inciting extremism through hate speeches, was granted permanent residency in Malaysia. He arrived in Pakistan on a government invitation for a month-long visit, during which he will deliver lectures in major cities, including Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore. This is his first visit to Pakistan in over three decades, with his last trip being in 1992.
During his meeting with Sharif, Naik was lauded for his "insightful and impactful" lectures. Prime Minister Sharif remarked, “Islam is a religion of peace, and you are doing an important duty by spreading the true message of Islam among people,” according to a report by state-run Radio Pakistan.
India-Pakistan Ties
The ties between India and Pakistan have faced numerous challenges in recent years. Relations took a severe downturn following the Pulwama terror attack in February 2019, which led to India's airstrike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist camp in Balakot, Pakistan. Tensions were further exacerbated in August 2019, when India abrogated Article 370, stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its special status and restructuring the region into two union territories.
India has reiterated its desire for stable relations with Pakistan, though it maintains that the onus is on Islamabad to foster a climate free from terror and hostility for meaningful engagement. Despite these tensions, India continues to be actively involved in the SCO, which aims to enhance economic and security ties across its member states.
The SCO is an influential transregional organisation that includes China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and India. India joined as a full member at the 2017 Astana summit, following its observer status since 2005. Last year, India chaired the SCO and hosted its summit virtually in July. The organisation, established in 2001, has focused on security cooperation and economic development, particularly through its Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS), which addresses various security concerns.
MEA Reiterates India’s Call For Restraint Amid Conflict In West Asia
Addressing concerns regarding the ongoing conflict in West Asia, Jaiswal highlighted India’s call for restraint. “We issued a statement a few days back expressing deep concern. We said that the violence and the situation is of deep concern for us. We had reiterated a call for restraint by all concerned and also the protection of civilians,” he stated.
#WATCH | On the West Asia issue, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "We issued a statement a few days back expressing deep concern - we said that the violence and the situation is of deep concern for us. We had reiterated a call for restraint by all concerned and also the… pic.twitter.com/1vKwRnMlGt
— ANI (@ANI) October 4, 2024
He clarified that there are no current plans for evacuation, as flights from countries like Israel, Iran, and Lebanon are still operational. “As of now, from Israel, Iran, and other countries, flights are running so people have the option if they want to leave. Families have reached out to us and to our embassies, but at this point, we don't have any evacuation process going on,” Jaiswal added.
The MEA also provided details about the Indian community in these regions, with approximately 30,000 people in Israel, largely caregivers and workers, and around 10,000 individuals, including 5,000 students, in Iran. Additionally, there are about 3,000 Indians, mostly in Beirut, Lebanon.
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