External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reaffirmed that his upcoming visit to Pakistan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on October 15-16 will prioritize multilateral discussions rather than India-Pakistan bilateral relations. This visit, the first by a high-ranking Indian official to Pakistan in nearly a decade, comes amidst heightened geopolitical tensions between the two countries. Jaishankar's remarks made it clear that India’s participation in the summit is solely in its capacity as a member of the SCO, dismissing any speculation that this trip might open the door for dialogue on the long-standing and contentious issues between New Delhi and Islamabad.
In a statement ahead of the visit, Jaishankar reiterated the significance of the SCO as a multilateral platform and India’s role within it, noting that he intends to "be a good member of the SCO" during the Islamabad summit. He emphasized that his participation is solely focused on contributing to discussions on regional security and economic cooperation, in line with the SCO’s mission, while making it clear that India is not using this as an opportunity for bilateral negotiations. His remarks reflect the careful diplomatic balance India seeks to maintain, particularly with regard to Pakistan, where relations have been severely strained due to issues ranging from terrorism to cross-border tensions.
Jaishankar acknowledged that the Prime Minister typically attends such high-level meetings with heads of state but explained that changes sometimes occur depending on the situation, alluding to the evolving nature of international diplomacy. He added that planning for such events requires careful foresight, hinting at the complexity of diplomatic engagements, which often involve anticipating unforeseen challenges or developments. Despite the high stakes surrounding India’s participation in the SCO summit, Jaishankar’s message remains consistent: the focus is strictly on multilateral matters, not bilateral tensions with Pakistan.
The SCO, originally established as a political, security, and economic alliance of Central Asian nations, now includes India and Pakistan as permanent members since 2017. The organization's key areas of focus include counter-terrorism, regional cooperation, and economic connectivity, with India playing an increasingly active role in these multilateral discussions. Jaishankar’s presence at the summit underscores India’s commitment to engaging with its Central Asian partners and fostering regional stability, but his comments also reflect India’s careful avoidance of direct engagement with Pakistan on sensitive issues, such as cross-border terrorism and Kashmir, at this venue.
In addition to his remarks on the SCO summit, Jaishankar expressed grave concern about the escalating situation in the Middle East, describing it as a "great cause of concern and deep worry" for India and the international community. As Israel intensifies its offensive in Lebanon, with fears of an imminent conflict with Iran, the external affairs minister warned of the broader implications for regional stability. He noted that the conflict, which initially began with terrorist attacks, has since spiraled into a multi-front battle involving multiple actors, including Iran and its regional proxies, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen.
Jaishankar pointed out that the growing instability in the Middle East is not only affecting the region but also has far-reaching consequences for global economic and security dynamics. He explained that this conflict is not an "opportunity" for any nation, unlike some other geopolitical situations, but instead is "costing" nations like India due to its impact on oil prices, trade routes, and regional security. He also noted the interconnected nature of global conflicts, drawing parallels between the war in Ukraine and the escalating tensions in the Middle East, both of which are contributing to an increasingly unstable international landscape.
The external affairs minister highlighted that India is closely monitoring the situation and expressed concern about the potential for further escalation, particularly if Israel and Iran are drawn into direct conflict. He stressed that these conflicts are not isolated events but are part of a broader pattern of instability that affects nations far beyond their immediate regions. Jaishankar’s comments reflect India’s growing unease with the global geopolitical environment, as conflicts in multiple areas, including the Middle East and Ukraine, create significant challenges for India’s foreign policy and economic interests.
He also noted that the Houthis in Yemen have been launching attacks on the Red Sea, further complicating the already volatile situation. This, coupled with the widening conflict between Israel and Iran, underscores the complex nature of the Middle East crisis and its potential to disrupt global oil supplies, trade routes, and international security. Jaishankar’s remarks underscore India’s concerns about the ripple effects of these conflicts, particularly on its energy security, given the country’s dependence on oil imports from the region.
In conclusion, Jaishankar’s visit to Pakistan for the SCO summit is a critical moment for Indian diplomacy, particularly given the delicate balance India must maintain between its multilateral commitments and its bilateral tensions with Pakistan. At the same time, the escalating conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine present additional challenges for India’s foreign policy, as these crises threaten to destabilize global markets and create security risks for nations far beyond their borders. Jaishankar’s remarks reflect India’s cautious approach to these issues, as it seeks to navigate an increasingly complex and unstable international landscape while maintaining its focus on regional cooperation and multilateral engagement through platforms like the SCO.
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