External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has arrived in Islamabad for the 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG) session. On October 16, 2024, Pakistan will host the summit, which will emphasize member-state trade and economic cooperation.
The attendance of Jaishankar, according to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, highlights India’s strong participation in the SCO. He made it clear that he was just there for the summit and not for one-on-one discussions with Pakistan. “This visit is about supporting the SCO framework, not India-Pakistan relations,” Jaishankar said.
As foreign delegations, including some 900 participants, assembled for the conference, Pakistan imposed strict security measures in Islamabad. The Pakistan Army and Rangers are among the security personnel that have been positioned near important government locations, especially the Red Zone region. To maintain safety, authorities in Rawalpindi and Islamabad have temporarily closed key routes and businesses.
14 accommodation spots have been reserved for the visiting delegates, and 124 cars are ready for transportation, 40 of which are for other officials and 84 of which are for heads of state.
