On May 4, 2023, the Minister of External Affairs of India, S Jaishankar, welcomed his Pakistani counterpart, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, in Goa, India, at a conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s visit marks the first time in almost 12 years that a senior leader from Pakistan has visited India. However, there is no confirmation yet of a bilateral meeting between the two countries foreign ministers.
The Meeting
Visuals show the customary greeting with folded hands between the foreign ministers before posing for pictures. S Jaishankar then directed Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to the venue. Minutes later, in the presence of Bhutto-Zardari, Jaishankar made a strong statement on the “menace of terrorism,” including cross-border terrorism.
The Tensions
Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s visit to India comes amid continuing strain in ties between the two countries on a host of issues, including Islamabad’s use of cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. The Pakistan foreign minister was received at the airport in Goa earlier in the day by JP Singh, the joint secretary heading the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran division at the external affairs ministry.
The Meeting with China
On the sidelines of the big meeting at Benaulim in Goa, S Jaishankar spoke to Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang. Qin Gang reiterated that the situation at the India-China border is generally stable, and both sides should consolidate the present achievements and strictly abide by the relevant agreements while pushing for further cooling and easing of the conditions for sustainable peace and tranquillity at the frontier.
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In a tweet after the talks, S Jaishankar said the focus remained on resolving outstanding issues and ensuring peace and tranquillity in the border areas.
India’s Role
India took over the rotating presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation at the Samarkand SCO Summit in 2022. This year, India is hosting several important SCO meetings, including the Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Goa from May 4-5.
The meeting in Goa provided an opportunity for India and Pakistan to discuss outstanding issues and look for ways to improve their relations. The SCO provides a platform for its member states to discuss and address regional security concerns.
The Importance of the Meeting
The meeting between S Jaishankar and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari marks an important development in the relations between India and Pakistan. Despite the continuing tensions, it is heartening to see that both sides are willing to engage with each other and work towards resolving their differences.
The SCO provides an excellent platform for dialogue and cooperation between member states. It is essential for regional stability and security that countries work together to address common concerns and challenges.
Source: NDTV
