Skip to Main content

9.12°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment 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

poilievre-criticizes-carney-economic-record-outlines-conservative-agenda-in-toronto-speech

CanadaApr 16, 2026

Poilievre criticizes Carney economic record, outlines Conservative agenda in Toronto speech

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre used a speech to a business audience in Toronto on Friday to criticize Prime Minister Mark Carney’s economic record and promote his party’s approach to taxation and regulation. Speaking at the Canadian Club Toronto, Poilievre said the federal government has not delivered on key economic commitments since Carney took office more than a year ago. He told attendees that his party would focus on reducing taxes and cutting regulations, arguing that government should play a smaller role in the private sector. Poilievre claimed economic conditions have worsene

surrey-traffic-stop-leads-to-seizure-of-fentanyl-cocaine-and-meth-two-arrested

Surrey traffic stop leads to seizure of fentanyl, cocaine and meth, two arrested

A proactive traffic stop in Surrey by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia’s Uniform Gang Enforcement Team resulted in the seizure of more than 3.5 kilograms of suspected illicit drugs, according to a police release. CFSEU-BC said the stop took place on March 24 as part of ongoing enforcement targeting organized crime. Officers located bulk quantities of drugs packaged in vacuum-sealed bags. The substances were processed and identified as approximately 1.293 kilograms of fentanyl, 1.064 kilograms of cocaine and 1.149 kilograms of methamphetamine. Police said the f

canada-post-begins-transition-from-door-to-door-delivery-to-community-mailboxes

CanadaApr 16, 2026

Canada Post begins transition from door-to-door delivery to community mailboxes

Canada Post says it has begun preliminary work to phase out most door-to-door mail delivery, starting consultations with unions and communities as part of a multi-year transition. According to a Canada Post news release, the Crown corporation plans to convert approximately four million addresses to community mailboxes over the next five years. The change will be rolled out in stages, with different regions shifting to centralized mail delivery each year. The corporation says discussions are underway with 13 communities across the country, including Ottawa and Winnipeg. The first phase is expec

CanadaApr 16, 2026

Surge in citizenship-by-descent applications after Canada’s Bill C-3 takes effect

Applications for Canadian citizenship by descent have increased sharply following the implementation of Bill C-3, commonly referred to as the “Lost Canadians” law, according to federal immigration data. The law, which came into force on December 15, expands eligibility to individuals born outside Canada to Canadian parents who were also born abroad. To qualify, at least one parent must have lived in Canada for a minimum of three years before the applicant’s birth. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, more than 12,000 applications were received between December 15 an

Vancouver driver clocked at 191 km/h, fails roadside test with children in vehicle, RCMP say

A 37-year-old Vancouver man has been issued a 90-day driving prohibition after police say he was caught travelling 191 km/h in an 80 km/h zone with his children in the vehicle. According to a Maple Ridge RCMP news release, officers with the Road Safety Target Team were conducting speed enforcement on April 12 at حوالي 5:45 p.m. in the 25200 block of Lougheed Highway when a white Tesla was recorded travelling 111 km/h over the posted limit using a laser speed reader. Police said the driver showed signs of impairment after being stopped and was administered a roadside Approved Screening Dev

Related News

Student shooting at middle school in Kahramanmaras kills 9, injures 13

Student shooting at middle school in Kahramanmaras kills 9, injures 13

A shooting at a middle school in Kahramanmaras on Wednesday left at least nine people dead, including students, and 13 others injured, according to Turkish officials. Interior Minister Mustafa Sifti said six are in serious condition, with three in critical condition. Authorities have not released the identities of the victims. Governor Mukerem Unluar said the suspected shooter, an eighth-grade student at the school, was also killed. According to the governor, the student used a firearm belonging to his father, a former police officer. Officials said the student brought the weapon into the scho

Trump says U.S.–Iran talks could resume within days after failed round in Pakistan

Trump says U.S.–Iran talks could resume within days after failed round in Pakistan

U.S. President Donald Trump says stalled negotiations with Iran could resume within the next two days, following an unsuccessful round of talks held in Pakistan. Speaking Tuesday, Trump indicated the next meeting is also likely to take place in Pakistan. He did not provide a confirmed date or agenda but said discussions remain ongoing. According to statements from both sides, disagreements over nuclear weapons have been the primary obstacle. Iranian officials are seeking firm guarantees that any agreement would prevent renewed military conflict or future airstrikes after a deal is reached. Ira

Italy suspends automatic renewal of defence agreements with Israel amid Middle East tensions

Italy suspends automatic renewal of defence agreements with Israel amid Middle East tensions

Italy has halted the automatic renewal of its defence agreements with Israel, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said, citing ongoing tensions in the Middle East and the need to support diplomatic efforts. According to statements from the Italian government, the decision comes as conflict dynamics involving Iran and the United States continue to raise concerns about regional stability. Meloni said advancing peace talks remains a priority and stressed the importance of reopening key maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz. The Italian government said the suspension applies specifically to th

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital