EAM Jaishankar Concludes Pakistan Visit, Thanks Hosts for Hospitality
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar concluded his brief visit to Pakistan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting in Islamabad on Wednesday. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar for their “hospitality and courtesies” during his nearly 24-hour stay.
“Departing from Islamabad. Thank you, PM Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and the Government of Pakistan for the hospitality and courtesies,” Jaishankar posted on X as he boarded the IAF plane at Rawalpindi’s Nur Khan airbase.
This visit marked the first by an Indian External Affairs Minister to Pakistan since 2015, when the late Sushma Swaraj attended the Heart of Asia Conference in Islamabad.
Jaishankar highlighted India’s “positive and constructive contribution” during what he described as a “productive” SCO meeting. Eight outcome documents were signed, featuring key takeaways from India’s perspective, including discussions on the concept of “One Earth, One Family, One Future.” Other highlights included the recognition of India’s initiatives such as the SCO Startup Forum and the inclusion of digital inclusion in SCO cooperation, as well as a focus on enhancing global food security through climate-resilient grains like millets.
The signed documents also emphasized fair and balanced connectivity projects aligned with international law and the UN Charter, while reasserting the importance of a rules-based, inclusive multilateral trading system. Jaishankar condemned protectionist measures and unilateral sanctions that threaten global sustainable development.
In his address, Jaishankar referred to “terrorism, extremism, and separatism” as the “three evils,” stressing the need for trust and good neighborliness. He remarked that if cross-border activities are marked by these issues, they would hinder trade, energy flows, connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges. Though he did not explicitly name Pakistan, his comments underscored the complexities in regional relations.
