ISLAMABAD/NEW DELHI: The foreign minister arrived in India on Thursday to attend a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in the western state of Goa, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported, in what will be the first visit by a top government official to the neighbouring nation in nearly a decade.
The eight-member organisation, which includes Russia and China, was established in 2001 as a counter-weight to US alliances across East Asia to the Indian Ocean and seeks to foster collaboration on security and development in Asia.
Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari was invited to the two-day meeting by his Indian counterpart, S. Jaishankar, who is the current chair of the organisation’s Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM).
Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang in Goa for Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) foreign ministers’ meeting. pic.twitter.com/TE7SA86r3t
— ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2023
It is the first visit to India by a top member of the government since then prime minister Nawaz Sharif attended Narendra Modi’s swearing-in in 2014.
Zardari’s attendance triggered speculations of a thaw in strained relations between the two South Asian countries, though both leaders have dismissed reports of a bilateral chat.
This is, however, not the first time Zardari has attended the forum. He also attended the last meeting of SCO foreign ministers in July of last year in the Uzbek capital of Tashkent.
In a video message this morning, the foreign minister said his decision to attend the summit underlines Pakistan’s commitment to the SCO charter.
On my way to Goa, India. Will be leading the Pakistan delegation at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization CFM. My decision to attend this meeting illustrates Pakistan’s strong commitment to the charter of SCO.
During my visit, which is focused exclusively on the SCO, I look… pic.twitter.com/cChUWj9okR
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) May 4, 2023
“On my way to Goa, India. Will be leading the Pakistan delegation at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization CFM. My decision to attend this meeting illustrates Pakistan’s strong commitment to the charter of SCO,” he said in an accompanying message.
“During my visit, which is focused exclusively on the SCO, I look forward to constructive discussions with my counterparts from friendly countries.”
India will also host the SCO leaders’ summit later this year. The ministerial meeting will focus on preparations for the leaders’ summit in July, and exchange views on pressing “regional and international issues.”
Separately, the prime minister said Pakistan’s decision to attend the meeting reflected Islamabad’s commitment to the organisation’s charter and multilateralism.
“We are committed to playing our part to advance our shared values of peace and stability in the region. We are all for win-win understandings based on connectivity, trade and mutually advantageous cooperation,” Shehbaz Sharif tweeted.
Pakistan’s decision to attend SCO Council of Foreign Minister’s meeting in India reflects our commitment to the SCO Charter & multilateralism. We are committed to playing our part to advance our shared values of peace & stability in the region. We are all for win win…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) May 4, 2023
While expectations from Zardari’s visit to the popular beach destination are low, observers believe Pakistan’s attendance at the summit may aim to signal that it does not intend to cede any more ground to India when it comes to Central Asia.
The forum is led by China and Russia, an important emerging friend of Pakistan. It also includes four members from Central Asia — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, which Russia considers its backyard — a region that Islamabad hopes to engage more for trade, connectivity and energy.
In 2017, Pakistan and India became new members and Iran is set to join later this year.
— With input from AP
