SCO Summit Begins – Live Coverage

Jaishankar and Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif Shake Hands in Islamabad

During the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Islamabad, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif were seen shaking hands and briefly exchanging words. This moment is being viewed as significant in the context of diplomatic relations between the two nations. The brief interaction between the leaders has attracted international attention at the summit.

Tajikistan Prime Minister Arrives in Islamabad

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the Prime Minister of Tajikistan to Islamabad on the margins of the 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting.

“Thanked him for his participation in the SCO meeting and conveyed my best wishes to Imomali Rahmon, President of Tajikistan. We are determined to continue working together to advance mutually beneficial Pakistan-Tajikistan bilateral cooperation,” said the Pakistan PM in a post on X.

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation: S Jaishankar’s Schedule for Today and Tomorrow

India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, has arrived in Islamabad to participate in the 23rd meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (CHG) under the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). This two-day summit will feature several key events and discussions among member states.

The schedule for the summit is as follows:

October 15:

• 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm: Informal dinner hosted by Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif.

Wednesday, 16th October 2024:

4:00 pm: Departure from Nur Khan Airbase.

• 10:00 am – 10:15 am: Group photos of attending leaders.
• 10:20 am – 1:05 pm: 23rd SCO CHG Plenary session at the Plenary Hall, Jinnah Convention Centre (JCC).
• 1:10 pm – 1:30 pm: Document signing ceremony.
• 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm: Official lunch on the 2nd floor of JCC.

SCO Summit Pakistan: S Jaishankar Arrives in Islamabad

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has arrived in Islamabad to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting. This marks the first time in nearly nine years that an Indian Foreign Minister has visited Pakistan.

Key Highlights:

• The SCO will primarily discuss topics such as terrorism, regional peace, and development.

• S Jaishankar is attending the SCO summit in Pakistan.
• This visit is considered a significant step in India-Pakistan diplomatic relations.
• The meeting is expected to focus on regional and global issues between the two nations.

SCO Meeting in Pakistan: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to Arrive in Islamabad Today

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to arrive in Pakistan today, October 15, to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting. This marks the first visit by an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan in nearly nine years, despite the frosty ties between the two neighbors over the Kashmir issue and cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan.

Shortly after his arrival in Islamabad, the External Affairs Minister is expected to attend a banquet reception hosted by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Both sides have already ruled out any bilateral talks between Jaishankar and his Pakistan counterpart Ishaq Dar on the sidelines of the SCO heads of government summit.

Jaishankar’s trip to participate in this meeting is considered significant, as it may reopen the avenues for dialogue between the two countries. However, given the current state of relations, this possibility appears slim. The minister’s visit comes after many years and is viewed as a noteworthy development.

During his stay in Pakistan, Jaishankar’s agenda may include discussions on various issues, such as regional security and combating terrorism. However, how effectively these issues are raised will depend on the extent of agreement between both parties.

23rd meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)

The 23rd meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG) is set to take place on Tuesday and Wednesday in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad. Key goals of the SCO include strengthening mutual trust among member states, promoting cooperation in trade, economy, science, and technology. Additionally, it aims to jointly ensure and maintain peace, security, and stability in the region.

Pakistan has assumed the rotating chairmanship of the SCO CHG for 2023-24, a decision made at the previous meeting held in Bishkek in October 2023. The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan became its permanent members in 2017.

This meeting sees participation from various foreign representatives in Islamabad, including S. Jaishankar and other key leaders.

The SCO summit kicks off today in Islamabad

S. Jaishankar and other foreign delegates are arriving in Islamabad. The summit will discuss increasing cooperation in trade, economy, and science.