Wed Oct 16 11:10:31 UTC 2024: ## India and Pakistan Engage in Diplomatic Dance at SCO Summit Amid Tensions

**Islamabad, Pakistan:** India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, in his address to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Wednesday, stressed the incompatibility of terrorism and trade. He subtly addressed the territorial disputes between Pakistan and China, emphasizing the need for all nations to respect each other’s borders.

Jaishankar emphasized that if friendships between SCO members were strained and neighborly relations deteriorated, it required introspection and understanding. He highlighted the necessity of mutual trust and honesty for combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism – key objectives of the SCO.

While acknowledging the challenging times marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Israel-Hamas-Hezbollah conflict, and the Russia-Ukraine war, Jaishankar expressed concern over the impact of global issues like climate change and supply chain disruptions on development.

Prior to the summit, Jaishankar participated in a photo session with other group leaders, including Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whom he met at a dinner hosted by Sharif on Tuesday night. This interaction marked a shift from last year’s SCO meeting in Goa, where Jaishankar had avoided shaking hands with Pakistan’s then-Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

The summit, attended by leaders of the eight member countries, including India, is the first time an Indian minister has visited Pakistan since 2015. This visit has garnered significant attention, particularly given the tense bilateral relations between India and Pakistan.

**SCO: Beyond Border Disputes**

The SCO, established in 2001, has evolved from its initial focus on addressing border disputes among its members to a platform for broader regional cooperation in areas like trade, security, and counter-terrorism. The inclusion of India and Pakistan in the organization highlights its growing importance as a platform for dialogue and collaboration in a region marked by complex geopolitical dynamics.

Read More