Era of seamless dialogue with Pakistan is over, says Jaishankar on SCO invitation
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India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar indicated uncertainty regarding the future of India-Pakistan relations despite a recent invitation from Pakistan for India to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of Government Summit. The invitation, extended as part of the ongoing diplomatic engagement within the SCO framework, has not yet elicited a formal response from India.
At a book launch event on Friday, Jaishankar addressed the complexities of India’s relationship with Pakistan. He suggested that while there may be a possibility of maintaining the current level of engagement with Pakistan, India’s approach remains flexible, with the capacity to respond to evolving situations.
He underscored that the era of uninterrupted dialogue with Pakistan had ended, particularly following India’s abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) later confirmed that India had received the invitation for the SCO summit, which is set to be hosted by Pakistan. However, the MEA spokesperson noted that a decision regarding India’s participation in the summit is still pending, highlighting the cautious approach India is adopting in its diplomatic dealings with Pakistan.
The relationship between India and Pakistan has been strained, with high-level official contact between the two nations virtually non-existent for several years. However, both countries remain active members of the SCO, a regional organisation that includes China, Russia, and Central Asian states.
Last year, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari visited Goa when India held the chairmanship of the SCO. The visit was marked by tension and sharp exchanges between Bhutto and Jaishankar, underscoring the fragile nature of India-Pakistan relations.
India has traditionally participated in the SCO Heads of State Summits, with the Prime Minister often attending. For the Heads of Government Summits, India has typically been represented by a senior minister or the vice president, reflecting the cautious engagement India maintains within the SCO framework while navigating its complicated relationship with Pakistan.