NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the hosts of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting for their “hospitality and courtesies” as he wrapped up his two-day visit to Pakistan.
Taking to X, previously known as Twitter, the minister said: “Departing from Islamabad.Thank PM @CMShehbaz, DPM & FM @MIshaqDar50 and the Government of Pakistan for the hospitality and courtesies.”
Jaishankar was on a two-day visit to Islamabad, Pakistan, from October 15 to 16, to attend the 23rd Meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG).
Sharing a series of posts he said: “A productive meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government concluded in Islamabad today. Signed eight outcome documents. India made a positive and constructive contribution to the deliberations. “
Earlier in the day, Jaishankar addressed the SCO council of heads of government meeting and underlined the importance of commitment to the grouping’s charter, disruption of various kinds such as conflicts, climate change, among others.
“Delivered India’s national statement at the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting today morning in Islamabad.SCO needs to be able and adept at responding to challenges facing us in a turbulent world,” Jaishankar said in a post on X.
Jaishankar arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday evening for the SCO heads of government meeting, where he met PM Shehbaz during an informal dinner hosted by the country.
The two leaders exchanged pleasantries and shook hands before proceeding to the dinner with other attendees.
This visit marks the first time in nearly nine years that an Indian foreign minister has traveled to Pakistan, amid ongoing tensions between the two countries over issues such as Kashmir and cross-border terrorism originating from Pakistan.
However, Jaishankar had clarified that his visit to Islamabad was not intended to discuss India-Pakistan relations but to fulfill India’s responsibilities as a “good member” of the SCO, which includes India, Pakistan, Russia, China, Iran, and four Central Asian countries as member states.
The last visit by an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan was made by Sushma Swaraj, who traveled to Islamabad to participate in the ‘Heart of Asia’ conference on Afghanistan, in December 2015.