• By Kamal Kumar
  • Tue, 15 Oct 2024 10:29 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

In Islamabad to attend the SCO meeting, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his informal dinner on Tuesday, hosted for the heads of the state visiting the country. EAM Jaishankar exchanged formal pleasantries with Sharif before heading for the informal dinner.

A first in nine years by any Indian Minister, the visit comes as the two countries remained distant over the issue of terrorism and Pakistan-sponsored militancy in Kashmir. The continuing attacks on Indian security forces by Pakistan's proxy militants and its Kashmir rhetoric on international stages also caused severe damage to the relationships between the two neighbours.

Earlier today, EAM Jaishankar shared photos of kids in traditional Pathani attire welcoming him at the Nur Khan air base as he landed in the country.

"Landed in Islamabad to take part in SCO Council of Heads of Government Meeting," EAM wrote on X.

SCO Summit From Wednesday 

EAM will take part in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's 23rd Meeting of Heads of Government (CHG), scheduled to begin on Wednesday in Islamabad, Pakistan.

The two-day affair which is set to begin under heavy security deployment will be chaired by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who currently chairs the SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG).

Sushma Swaraj was the last Indian foreign minister to visit Pakistan who attended the 'Heart Of Asia' conference on Afghanistan in Islamabad from December 8-9, 2015.

Current Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, who was serving as India’s foreign secretary at that time, was also a part of her delegation.

In the same year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a surprise visit to Lahore on his way back from Kabul.