Skip to Main content

14.85°^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

edmonton-gurdwara-attack-criminal-charges-laid-against-27-year-old-man

AlbertaSep 10, 2026

Edmonton Gurdwara Attack: Criminal Charges Laid Against 27-Year-Old Man

Edmonton police have laid several criminal charges against 27-year-old Austin Sim-Pelletier in connection with an Aug. 21 incident at Nanaksar Gurdwara Sahib. According to police, Sim-Pelletier faces two counts of bodily harm, along with charges of possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose and mischief. He is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 18. The incident was reported at about 5 a.m. on Aug. 21. The Edmonton Police Service’s Investigative Response Team and Hate Crime Unit are jointly investigating to determine whether the incident was motivated by hate. Staff Sgt. Eric Stewart said

Surrey Elections on October 17, Voting to Take Place at 52 Locations

Surrey residents will be able to cast their ballots at any of the city’s 52 voting locations during the 2026 municipal election on Saturday, October 17. Voting will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For those who want to vote early, advance voting will be available on October 7, 10, 14 and 15, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., at 10 designated locations, including Cloverdale Recreation Centre, Fleetwood Community Centre and several secondary schools. The City of Surrey has also provided an interactive map of voting locations to help voters find a convenient polling place and check estimated wait times. In

IndiaSep 10, 2026

Bomb Threat Forces Emergency Landing of IndiGo Flight in Ahmedabad

An IndiGo flight from Lucknow to Dammam, Saudi Arabia, made an emergency landing at Ahmedabad airport on Thursday evening after receiving a bomb threat. Police said IndiGo flight 6E97 landed at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at around 5:45 p.m. local time. All 107 passengers and six crew members were safely evacuated, and no suspicious object was found on board. According to an airport police inspector, a crew member found a piece of paper with the word “bomb” written on it, prompting the emergency response.

truck-loaded-with-butane-canisters-catches-fire-in-burnaby-explosions-cause-panic

Truck Loaded With Butane Canisters Catches Fire in Burnaby, Explosions Cause Panic

A commercial truck carrying butane canisters caught fire near Lougheed Mall and the SkyTrain station in Burnaby on Wednesday evening, triggering a series of explosions that sent the canisters flying through the air. The incident happened at around 7:10 p.m. in the parking lot of an auto repair shop near Gatineau Place and North Road. Burnaby Fire Department Deputy Chief Ian Hetherington said crews arrived to find a commercial cube van fully engulfed in flames, with thick smoke and flames rising above the nearby SkyTrain tracks. Several canisters were found scattered along North Road following

CanadaSep 10, 2026

Canada and Ukraine Announce 100-Year Agreement on Defence, Energy and Trade

Canada and Ukraine have announced a 100-year agreement covering defence, energy and trade, signed by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during their meeting in Calgary. The landmark agreement will see the two countries expand cooperation in defence, technology and investment, including joint production of drones, anti-drone systems, electronic warfare technology and weapons. Carney also announced air-defence support for Ukraine to help counter Russian missile attacks. In addition, Canada has pledged more than $430 million in loan guarantees to help maintain

Related News

275 Indians Still Missing After Severe Floods Along Nepal-Tibet Border

275 Indians Still Missing After Severe Floods Along Nepal-Tibet Border

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has said that 275 Indian nationals remain missing following severe floods along the Nepal-Tibet border, while 166 others have been safely rescued. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said 1,907 Indian nationals have safely reached Nepal from China. According to Nepalese authorities, the death toll from the floods has risen to 1,295, while around 5,000 people remain missing. Emergency teams have so far rescued more than 12,000 people. India has sent nearly 95 tonnes of relief material to Nepal through seven aircraft to support relief operations. In addition,

Nepal Floods: Death Toll Surpasses 1,000, Nearly 4,000 Still Missing

Nepal Floods: Death Toll Surpasses 1,000, Nearly 4,000 Still Missing

The death toll from devastating floods and landslides in Nepal has crossed 1,000, nearly a week after a catastrophic disaster swept through parts of the Himalayan country. Rescue teams are continuing a massive search operation for thousands of people who remain missing, using heavy machinery, helicopters and excavators to reach remote and badly damaged areas. According to the latest official figures, the confirmed death toll has reached 1,003, while around 4,000 people remain missing. The missing include 590 foreign nationals from 39 countries, highlighting the international impact of the disa

Nepal-Tibet Flood Death Toll Rises to 955, Over 3,900 Still Missing

Nepal-Tibet Flood Death Toll Rises to 955, Over 3,900 Still Missing

The death toll from the devastating floods that hit Nepal and Tibet on August 26 has risen to 955. Nepal alone has reported 939 deaths, while the number of fatalities in Tibet has reached 16. More than 3,900 people are still missing. Meanwhile, China’s Foreign Ministry said its World Meteorological Centre had sent an email to Nepal 12 days before the floods, warning of heavy rainfall, landslides and flash floods. Nepal, however, has accused China of providing forecasts for heavy rainfall but failing to share information about snowfall, water levels, landslides and other major natural hazards

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital