Skip to Main content

26.15°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Oct 4, 2024 1:13 PM - Connect Newsroom - Mandeep Kaur

Jaishankar to visit Pakistan for SCO Summit, first Indian ministerial visit in nine years

Share On

indias-foreign-minister-s-jaishankar-will-go-to-pakistan

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will visit Pakistan to attend the SCO Summit on October 15–16. (Photo: Facebook/Dr S. Jaishankar)

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will travel to Pakistan next week to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit scheduled for October 15–16, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed on Friday. This will mark the first visit by an Indian minister to Pakistan in nearly nine years.

Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Jaishankar will represent India at the regional meeting, which brings together foreign ministers and heads of state from member countries to discuss security, economic cooperation, and regional connectivity.

Pakistan had formally invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the summit on August 29, extending the same invitation to all SCO member nations. However, India has decided that Jaishankar will lead its delegation.

The last high-level Indian visit to Pakistan took place in 2015, when Prime Minister Modi made an unannounced stop in Lahore to meet then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Later that year, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also visited Islamabad for the Heart of Asia conference. No Indian minister has visited Pakistan since then.

The upcoming summit is being closely watched in diplomatic circles, as tensions between the two neighbours remain high despite both sides participating in multilateral forums such as the SCO.

Latest news

former-alberta-finance-minister-joe-ceci-will-not-seek-re-election-in-2027

AlbertaJun 22, 2026

Former Alberta finance minister Joe Ceci will not seek re-election in 2027

Longtime Alberta politician Joe Ceci says he will not seek re-election in the province's next general election, scheduled for the fall of 2027. Ceci served as Alberta's finance minister in former premier Rachel Notley's New Democratic government from 2015 to 2019, becoming the province's only NDP finance minister. During his time in cabinet, the government increased the minimum wage and expanded funding for family and community support programs. His tenure also coincided with a sharp downturn in oil prices that contributed to significant provincial budget deficits. The NDP government argued th

AlbertaJun 22, 2026

Alberta MLA expense claims draw scrutiny over high-end meals and minor purchases

A review of Alberta legislators' expense disclosures for the last fiscal year shows elected officials across party lines claimed expenses ranging from high-end restaurant meals to small everyday purchases, prompting questions from political observers about public perception and accountability. Under Alberta's legislative rules, members of the legislative assembly receive budgets to operate constituency offices, cover travel costs and host constituents and stakeholders. MLAs are also required to publicly disclose expense reports with itemized receipts. Among the larger expenses, Municipal Affai

AlbertaJun 22, 2026

Edmonton area residents urged to conserve water as heavy rainfall overwhelms drainage systems

Officials in Edmonton and several neighbouring communities are urging residents to reduce water use after heavy rainfall caused localized flooding and pushed stormwater and sewer systems toward capacity. The City of Edmonton issued a water supply alert, saying flooding and sewer backups have been reported in surrounding areas and warning that additional problems could occur if the stormwater system continues operating above capacity. Utility provider Epcor asked customers to delay activities that use large amounts of water, including showering, running washing machines and dishwashers, and to

canadas-inflation-rate-rises-to-3-2-in-may-as-gasoline-prices-surge

CanadaJun 22, 2026

Canada’s inflation rate rises to 3.2% in May as gasoline prices surge

Canada's annual inflation rate rose to 3.2 per cent in May, up from 2.8 per cent in April and marking its highest level since December 2023, according to Statistics Canada. The federal statistics agency said the increase was driven largely by a sharp rise in gasoline prices. Gas prices were up 33.2 per cent compared with the same month a year earlier, reflecting concerns over crude oil supplies linked to conflict in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Statistics Canada said Canadians faced the highest prices for gasoline and diesel since June 2022, pushing inflation above

Vancouver driver crashes into tree after fleeing police through underground parking garage

A 30-year-old Vancouver man was taken to hospital with minor injuries after allegedly fleeing police and crashing into a tree in downtown Vancouver on Thursday. According to the Vancouver Police Department, officers identified a vehicle being driven by a prohibited driver after an automatic licence plate reader in a patrol vehicle flagged a car with expired insurance. Police said the vehicle was being operated by a driver who was prohibited from driving. Police attempted to stop the vehicle near Howe and Robson streets. Investigators allege the driver failed to stop and fled through an undergr

Related News

Israel, Hezbollah ceasefire takes effect in Lebanon, officials say

Israel, Hezbollah ceasefire takes effect in Lebanon, officials say

A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah group has taken effect, according to statements from U.S. and Israeli officials. A U.S. official said the ceasefire came into force at 4 p.m. local time on Friday. The announcement followed a day of continued fighting in southern Lebanon. Reports indicated that approximately 18 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes hours before the ceasefire began. Israel also reported that four of its soldiers were killed during the latest round of hostilities. Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin confirmed the ceasefire, sa

Trump, Iranian President Sign Interim Peace Agreement Ahead of Planned Switzerland Ceremony

Trump, Iranian President Sign Interim Peace Agreement Ahead of Planned Switzerland Ceremony

U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian have signed an interim agreement aimed at ending hostilities between the United States and Iran, according to statements from officials involved in the negotiations. The signing took place ahead of a formal ceremony that had been scheduled for June 19 in Switzerland. Trump signed the agreement during a dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Versailles on Wednesday evening. Following the signing, Trump told reporters that the agreement had been finalized. Iranian officials later confirmed that Presid

Trump says talks with Modi at G7 summit were productive, highlights India-U.S. partnership

Trump says talks with Modi at G7 summit were productive, highlights India-U.S. partnership

U.S. President Donald Trump said he had a “very good and productive” discussion with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during meetings on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Trump described India as an important strategic partner of the United States and said cooperation between the two countries is expected to continue expanding across a range of areas. According to statements made by Trump, he expressed support for India and emphasized the importance of the bilateral relationship, particularly on issues related to security, trade and regio

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital