India’s External Affairs Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday for the 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, starting this evening.
Several international leaders have arrived in Islamabad. Kyrgyz Premier Akylbek Japarov landed at Nur Khan Airbase and was received by Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik. Belarusian PM Roman Golovchenko and Tajik Premier Kokhir Rasulzoda were welcomed at Islamabad International Airport by Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar and Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, respectively.
Turkmenistan’s Foreign Minister, Rashid Meredov, was greeted by Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui as a special guest.
The summit’s agenda includes a welcome dinner hosted by PM Shehbaz. Proceedings continue tomorrow at the Jinnah Convention Centre, where PM Shehbaz will give opening remarks followed by contributions from other member states and document signings.
S. Jaishankar’s presence is notable, marking his first visit to Pakistan in nearly ten years. He is expected to stay about 24 hours and focus on the SCO meeting without entering bilateral discussions.
Security is tight in Islamabad, with over 10,000 police and paramilitary personnel deployed. The Army and Rangers are securing key areas, including government buildings and the Red Zone. Several businesses and routes in Islamabad and Rawalpindi are closed for safety.
Delegates stay in 14 designated areas in the capital, mostly within or near the Red Zone. The summit motorcade will include 124 vehicles, with specific allocations for heads of state and other delegates.
A diverse delegation arrived on Sunday, including four from India, 76 from Russia, 15 from China, two from Iran, and four from Kyrgyzstan, signalling the start of this significant global event.
