14.65°C Vancouver

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

carney-signals-controlled-increase-in-immigration
CanadaSep 29, 2026

Carney Signals Controlled Increase in Immigration

Prime Minister Mark Carney has signalled that Canada could begin a controlled increase in immigration after bringing the country’s immigration system back under control. In another part of an interview with a private broadcaster, Carney said the immigration system is now under control and that the next question is how to begin a controlled increase in the country’s population. His comments come exactly one month before the government is expected to announce its immigration targets for the next three years. The previous three federal immigration plans focused on reducing the number of newco
calgary-chamber-warns-of-economic-fallout-from-alberta-split
AlbertaSep 29, 2026

Calgary Chamber Warns of Economic Fallout From Alberta Split

A report commissioned by the Calgary Chamber of Commerce warns of significant economic consequences if Alberta were to separate from Canada. The study, led by University of Calgary economist Trevor Tombe, estimates that trade costs could increase by 5% to 8%, potentially resulting in 44,000 to 69,000 fewer jobs in Calgary compared with remaining in Canada. The report notes that Alberta is Canada’s most trade-exposed jurisdiction, making the province particularly vulnerable to higher trade costs. The report comes three weeks before Albertans vote on 10 referendum questions, including one on
CanadaSep 29, 2026

RCMP Charges 16 in Major Quebec Cocaine Trafficking Investigation

The RCMP in Quebec has charged 16 people following an investigation into a major cocaine trafficking network allegedly operating in the province. Police said the operation, known as Project Chrome, began in 2022 with significant assistance from the Canada Revenue Agency. Investigators allege the organization operated an illegal gaming house in Montreal and used proceeds from drug trafficking to renovate properties linked to the group and launder money. During searches, police seized 14 kilograms of cocaine, more than $145,000 in cash and assets valued at over $9 million. According to details r
BCSep 29, 2026

Langley Shooting Leaves One Person Injured, Police Investigating

Langley RCMP are investigating a shooting in which one person was injured in the Brookswood area. Police said the incident occurred early Monday morning in the 3000-block of 205 Street. Langley RCMP officers and BC Emergency Health Services personnel responded shortly after receiving reports of gunfire and transported the injured person to hospital. According to Sgt. Zanel Sharoum, investigators believe the shooting was a targeted incident based on preliminary findings. Police are speaking with witnesses and reviewing CCTV footage as part of the investigation. The victim's identity has not bee
b-c-conservatives-accuse-eby-of-breaking-1-000-grocery-rebate-promise
BCSep 29, 2026

B.C. Conservatives Accuse Eby of Breaking $1,000 Grocery Rebate Promise

The B.C. Conservatives have launched an attack on the B.C. NDP and Leader David Eby during the provincial election campaign, accusing them of breaking election promises and pursuing failed economic policies. The Conservatives claim that exactly two years ago, the B.C. NDP promised to provide every family in British Columbia with a $1,000 grocery rebate but abandoned the commitment after winning the election. B.C. Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson questioned how voters could trust the NDP after the alleged broken promise, arguing that the province needs a change in government. Doerkson also cr

Related News