Friday 18 April 2025
No Formal Talks Yet India-Pakistan ‘Break the Ice’?
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Indian External Affairs Minister, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar recently visited the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of Government Summit. The visit has generated a significant buzz. The news suggests that India-Pakistan relations have improved from this visit and finally breaking the ice between the two nations.
During his time in Islamabad, Jaishankar exchanged pleasantries with Pakistans PM Shehbaz Sharif. Jaishankar also participated in the dinner hosted by Pakistans PM, nearly after a decade.
At the recent SCO summit in Islamabad, there were no bilateral discussions between India and Pakistan, largely due to the ongoing tensions between the countries. Prior to the summit, Jaishankar made it clear that his visit was exclusively for participating in the SCO meetings and not for holding bilateral talks. Additionally, Pakistans Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar reaffirmed that no request for the formal talks was made from either side.
The Indian government has positively responded to the smooth completion of Jaishankars visit to Pakistan. This was the first visit by an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan nearly after a decade.
Jaishankar praised the successful diplomatic event, hosted by Pakistan in its federal capital. The Indian minister extended his gratitude towards PM Shehbaz and emphasized the hospitality and courtesies in his departure note. Jaishankar also expressed his gratitude towards Ishaq Dar, who is also Jaishankars counterpart.
The Indian administration described the interactions as casual discussions. The Pakistani officials noted a brief pull-aside that lasted 5 to 7 minutes between theIndian minister and Dar.
Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistans interior minister and the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) joined the discussion with Jaishankar and Dar. In his conversation, Naqvi briefly discussed strengthening cricket ties between the two nations. Pakistan is getting ready to host the Champions Trophy next year and is seeking Indias participation.
Attaullah Tarar, Pakistans Minister of information, referred Jaishankars visit to Islamabad as an ice breaker.
As reported by the media, he said, Neither we nor they requested a bilateral meeting… but I believe his (Jaishankar’s) arrival here is an ice breaker. Furthermore, a top Pakistani source stated that there was a sense of overall positivity surrounding Jaishankars visit. Jaishankar and PM Sharif shook hands cordially, exchanged pleasantries, and spoke briefly during the dinner event. The following day, Sharif greeted and shook hands with Jaishankar at the SCO summit venue.
The India-Pakistan relationship has been severely strained since the unsuccessful attempt to resume discussions in 2015. The discussions were meant to be comprehensive bilateral engagements. Indias 2019 decision to revoke Kashmir’s special status was a significant factor in this deterioration. The result, Pakistan cut diplomatic ties and suspended bilateral trade with India.
The situation intensified when Pakistan called back its high commissioner in August 2019, in response to Indias activities regarding Jammu and Kashmir.
Indian government sources noted their appreciation to Shehbaz Sharif for declining to address any bilateral matters during his speech as the summit’s host.
All attention is now on COP29, which will take place next month in Azerbaijan. During this meeting, Indian PM Narendra Modi and Pakistan PM Sharif are expected to see each other in person.
However, before any substantive discussions, India wants Pakistan to first reappoint a high commissioner.
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