Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar delivered a sharp message to Pakistan during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Islamabad, becoming the first Indian foreign minister to visit Pakistan in nine years. Standing on Pakistani soil, Jaishankar made it clear that militant activities and trade cannot coexist, emphasizing that terrorism only weakens the relationship between the two neighboring countries.
During his speech, Jaishankar stated, "It is self-evident that peace and stability are essential for development and economic growth." He further stressed that if terrorist activities continue along the border, there can be no trade, energy cooperation, or people-to-people connections. He called for a stronger fight against terrorism, separatism, and extremism, highlighting the need for SCO countries to unite in tackling these issues. Jaishankar also underlined the importance of building cooperation based on mutual respect, territorial integrity, and sovereignty. He said, “True friendship recognizes territorial integrity and sovereignty. There can be no one-sided agenda." His speech conveyed a firm stance on improving India-Pakistan relations while maintaining a dignified and respectful tone.
Despite his criticism, Jaishankar extended his congratulations to Pakistan for successfully hosting this year's SCO summit and expressed his best wishes for the event. The summit, held in Islamabad, includes member countries such as China, Russia, and Central Asian nations. While Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif had extended an invitation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian government ultimately decided to send Jaishankar instead, marking an important diplomatic visit after nearly a decade.
