The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, confirmed the visit, clarifying that it symbolizes India’s commitment to the SCO Charter. He said, “India is fully committed to the SCO Charter, and the primary purpose of the Foreign Minister’s visit is to fulfill obligations under this charter.” He further stressed that this visit should not be seen as an attempt to improve bilateral relations between India and Pakistan, emphasizing that the trip is solely within the context of the SCO and should not be interpreted politically.

Pakistan had extended invitations to all member nations for this SCO meeting. In August 2024, Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, announced that an official invitation had been sent to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well. This sparked speculation about a potential visit by Modi to Pakistan. However, S. Jaishankar made it clear that the time for dialogue with Pakistan had passed, stating, “The time for talks with Pakistan is over.” He also added that since the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir, the issue no longer exists, and India is not in a position to consider any relationship with Pakistan.

Both India and Pakistan are members of the SCO, and officials from both nations have participated in meetings under this organization. In July 2023, India hosted a virtual SCO summit, where Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif participated online. Additionally, in May 2023, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari attended the SCO Foreign Ministers’ meeting held in Goa, marking a rare occasion of a visit to India. However, tensions between the two nations were evident even then.

The SCO was established in 2001 and is known for discussions on security, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange. The organization has eight permanent members: China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan became permanent members in 2017. Bilateral relations between India and Pakistan have always been tense, with issues like terrorism, Jammu & Kashmir, and border tensions complicating ties. Despite this, platforms like the SCO are important as they offer opportunities for officials from both countries to come together.

Pakistan is hosting this year’s meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG), and leaders from all member countries have been invited. Providing details about his visit, Jaishankar said that this trip follows tradition, where either the Prime Minister or the Foreign Minister attends high-level meetings. “This year, the meeting is being held in Islamabad, and this is a new experience, as we have seen before,” he said.

Discussing the SCO’s functioning and the expectations of its members, Jaishankar said that the SCO has failed to achieve its objectives. The primary reason behind this is the issue of terrorism. He also pointed out that a neighboring country is supporting terrorism, which poses a threat to stability in the region. He stated, “Terrorism cannot be accepted. The activities of our neighboring country will bring about a change in the situation. This is why SAARC meetings have not been held in recent years.”

However, Jaishankar clarified that this does not mean regional activities have come to a halt. In fact, in the past 5-6 years, there have been several indications of regional integration in the Indian subcontinent. He said, “If you look at our relations with Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka, you will see that railway lines are being reconstructed, roads are being developed, and power grids are being built.”

Thus, it is clear that the main purpose of Jaishankar’s visit is to ensure India’s participation in the SCO summit, not to engage in bilateral talks with Pakistan. He also added that he would behave like a gentleman and take the opportunity to engage in discussions with the leaders of all countries during the conference. Regarding this visit, Jaishankar also said, “We are ready to promote regional cooperation, but the issue of terrorism cannot be ignored.” This statement highlights that India remains vigilant about protecting its national interests and is maintaining a strong stance for regional stability.

Nirmala Sitharaman, currently serving as the Finance Minister, and S Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister, have been members of the Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of Parliament, for a considerable period. However, they have not yet faced popular elections.

Joshi, who holds the Coal and Mines portfolio, disclosed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is contemplating their electoral debut in the Lok Sabha elections this year. Media reports suggest that Nirmala Sitharaman and S Jaishankar are likely to contest the Lok Sabha elections.

Although Nirmala Sitharaman is currently a Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka and S Jaishankar represents Gujarat, their Lok Sabha constituencies are yet to be finalized. Sitharaman, who joined the BJP in 2008, served as the national spokesperson of the party until 2014. She became a junior minister after Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of India. The same year, she became a member of the Rajya Sabha from Andhra Pradesh. Sitharaman has also served as the Defence Minister of the country between 2017 and 2019.

On the other hand, S Jaishankar is a career diplomat who served as the Foreign Secretary in 2015. In 2019, he was inducted into Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet and was also nominated to the Rajya Sabha. Over the years, he has gained popularity on social media due to his staunch defense of Indian foreign policy on international forums.

The potential electoral debut of Sitharaman and Jaishankar in the Lok Sabha elections is expected to add a new dimension to the political landscape. Both ministers have been instrumental in shaping key policies and initiatives of the Modi government, and their entry into electoral politics is likely to generate significant interest among voters.

As the BJP gears up for the upcoming elections, the inclusion of Sitharaman and Jaishankar in the candidate list could be seen as a strategic move to strengthen the party’s position in Karnataka and other states. Their extensive experience in governance and diplomacy could also serve as a valuable asset in addressing critical issues facing the country.

The Lok Sabha elections are crucial for the BJP as it seeks to retain power and continue its agenda of development and reforms. The potential candidature of Sitharaman and Jaishankar is expected to energize the party’s campaign and attract support from various sections of society.

BY – KASHISH JAIN

The meeting signifies the ongoing efforts to bolster the diplomatic relationship between the two nations. Jaishankar’s positive sentiments and emphasis on the commitment to strengthening ties indicate a shared vision for the future of the strategic partnership between India and Greece. The development is part of broader diplomatic initiatives aimed at fostering collaboration and cooperation between the two countries.

As the chief guest and keynote speaker at the annual Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi from February 21 to 24, Mitsotakis’s visit is strategically focused on elevating the partnership between Greece and India. Accompanied by senior officials and a business delegation, the Greek PM will also partake in a visit to Mumbai.

The roots of Indo-Greek ties run deep, with centuries-old connections ranging from Alexander the Great’s invasion to trade interactions between Mauryan Kings and Greece. Diplomatic relations between India and Greece were formally established three years after India’s Independence in 1950. Over the years, the relationship has encompassed shared cultural values, economic growth, security, defense, shipping, and collaboration on regional and global issues.

In a significant development, ties between the two countries were upgraded to a strategic partnership during PM Modi’s visit to Athens in August 2023. This marked a turning point in the relationship, as both nations committed to strengthening cooperation in defense, security, infrastructure, agriculture, education, technology, and skill development. The elevation of ties was facilitated by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s groundwork during his visit to Greece in 2021.

The partnership is strategically crucial for India, considering Greece’s strategic location as a gateway to Europe for India and the Gulf countries. The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) aims to connect South and West Asia to Europe, with Greece playing a pivotal role. Both countries are looking to enhance cooperation in defense, shipping, and naval modernization, with discussions on defense sales and investments in Greek ports.

As Greece ramps up its military capabilities, India sees potential opportunities for collaboration, aligning with its goal of achieving a significant export target by the next year. The visit underscores the mutual commitment to strengthening ties and exploring new avenues of cooperation in various sectors, including defense, trade, and strategic partnerships.