Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar held brief, informal talks over two days during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) conclave in Islamabad, PTI cited diplomatic sources as saying on Wednesday (October 16).
Despite the exchanges, there was no sign of a significant thaw in the strained relations between the neighboring countries.
The brief encounters, held on the sidelines of the SCO gathering, were described by Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar as a potential “ice breaker.”
However, no formal bilateral meetings were requested by either side, according to officials.
The first exchange took place during a dinner reception hosted by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, where Jaishankar and Dar, joined by Pakistan’s Interior Minister and Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi, discussed cricketing ties, sources said.
On Wednesday, Jaishankar and Dar were seated next to each other at the SCO’s official luncheon, appearing to engage in positive conversation. Specifics of their discussion remain undisclosed, though sources noted it projected an air of cordiality.
Tarar told local media, “Neither us nor them requested a bilateral meeting… but I believe his (Jaishankar’s) arrival here is an ice breaker.”
The visit marks the first time in nearly nine years that an Indian foreign minister has visited Pakistan amid prolonged tensions over Kashmir and terrorism concerns.
The last visit by an Indian foreign minister was by Sushma Swaraj in December 2015 for the ‘Heart of Asia’ conference.
Jaishankar expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Sharif and Foreign Minister Dar on X, formerly Twitter, noting the SCO event was “productive.”
Two officials cited the minister’s post, describing the visit as “refreshing” for the diplomatic environment.
Jaishankar arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday and was welcomed by Sharif at the SCO summit venue on Wednesday morning with a handshake. Before departing, he thanked Pakistan for its hospitality, marking a tentative step toward open dialogue even as tensions persist.
With inputs from PTI
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Jaishankar and Pak’s foreign minister hold informal talks during SCO, no big breakthrough though
