Days ahead of the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Goa, Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar said that holding engagements with Pakistan on cross-border terrorism will be “very difficult.”
Next week’s SCO meeting will see the participation of Pakistan Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, marking the first visit by a senior Pakistani official to India since 2014. The last FM to visit India was Hina Rabbani Khar in 2011.
Other high-profile meeting attendees scheduled for the 4-5 May meeting include Russian FM Sergey Lavrov and Chinese FM Qin Gang.
Overview
The Indian Minister downplayed the significance of the Zardari’s visit by implying that it was simply a matter of course, as both India and Pakistan routinely attend SCO meets, and this year, the meet happens to be India as it is the Chair of the SCO. However, he highlighted that India will not “engage with a neighbour who practices cross-border terrorism.”
The EAM reiterated that Pakistan has to “deliver on [its] commitment not to encourage, sponsor, or carry out cross-border terrorism.” Jaishankar added, “We continue to hope that one day we would reach that stage.”
This was Jaishankar’s first statement on Pakistan since the Pakistani FM confirmed his attendance at the SCO meet. While this was in keeping with Islamabad’s declaration to attend all SCO meets, even with India as the grouping’s chair, reports suggest that Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif will only participate in the defence ministers’ discussions virtually.
Poonch terror attack happened when Pakistan FM Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is coming to Goa for SCO meeting. Pakistan's deep state don't want normalisation of India-Pakistan relations. They need to control their terror apparatus. I hope Indian govt will firmly convey to Pak FM that… pic.twitter.com/tgym4jodQN
— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2023
Past Statements by India and Pakistan
Amid high tensions between the two neighbours, Jaishankar’s statements quash hope for any bilateral discussions between India and Pakistan on the sidelines of the SCO meeting. While talks on bilateral issues, such as the Kashmir conflict, are barred by the SCO charter, India will be keeping a close eye on any such references during the discussions.
In the past, Indian officials have clarified that India’s invitations to Pakistan to attend the SCO meet are “formally necessitated” and should not be perceived as an “outreach.”
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi also said that it is not appropriate to “focus on participation by any one particular country.” He additionally clarified that speculation on bilateral meetings was “premature,” even though Jaishankar aims to conduct as many parallel discussions with countries during such multilateral meetings.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani FM said during a press meeting in Islamabad last week that Pakistan’s attendance evidences Islamabad’s commitment to the SCO.
India reiterated its pledge to safety and security in the Meeting of Heads of Departments of SCO Member States responsible for the prevention and elimination of emergencies.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 20, 2023
The conference also brainstormed innovative solutions to help member countries to deal with emergencies. pic.twitter.com/0z8BUwN6ET
Zardari also clarified that the SCO forum restricts parties from raising bilateral issues.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Director General Inter-Services Public Relations vowed to give a “befitting” reply to any border transgressions. He warned, “If required, we can take this battle to the enemy’s territory as well.”
Convoy Attack
Jaishankar’s comments come shortly after an army convoy was attacked in Jammu and Kashmir, killing five Indian soldiers. A source quoted by Deccan Herald confirmed that the attack in Poonch will make bilateral discussions unlikely.