How S Jaishankar began his day in Islamabad ahead of the SCO summit

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's visit to Pakistan for the SCO Summit marks a significant diplomatic event, as he became the first Indian foreign minister to visit the country in nine years. Before engaging in the formal proceedings of the summit, Jaishankar started his day on a peaceful note, taking a morning walk with Indian diplomats at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. In a symbolic gesture, he also planted an Arjuna sapling at the High Commission, reflecting a commitment to environmental conservation through the "#Plant4Mother" initiative. 

This visit holds substantial diplomatic importance, particularly as it comes amidst strained relations between India and Pakistan. Ties between the two nations have been tense due to ongoing concerns over cross-border terrorism, which India has consistently raised as a barrier to restoring bilateral dialogue. Despite the high-profile nature of the summit and Jaishankar's presence in Islamabad, no formal bilateral talks are scheduled between him and his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar. India's stance has been clear: meaningful dialogue can only take place in an atmosphere free from terrorism.

During an informal dinner hosted by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday, Jaishankar and Sharif exchanged greetings and pleasantries, underscoring the cordiality of the event. However, this did not signal a shift in the broader diplomatic stance between the two countries. The External Affairs Minister landed at Nur Khan airbase in Rawalpindi, following in the footsteps of the late Sushma Swaraj, who was the last Indian foreign minister to visit Pakistan in 2015.

Leaders from other SCO member states, including Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, and leaders from Kazakhstan, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Iran, are also present at the summit. This regional forum presents opportunities for multilateral dialogue on key issues like security, terrorism, and trade, but bilateral tensions between India and Pakistan remain a significant subplot of Jaishankar's visit.

India has maintained that dialogue with Pakistan cannot proceed until there is a concrete commitment from Islamabad to address cross-border terrorism. While the SCO Summit offers an opportunity for interaction on a broader multilateral platform, the absence of bilateral talks highlights the continued diplomatic frost between the two neighbors. Jaishankar's visit, while important for its regional significance, does not signal a thaw in relations, but rather reinforces India's diplomatic stance amid ongoing challenges.