Pakistan's Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari finds progress in India trip
As the first Pakistani official to set foot on Indian soil since 2011, Bilawal attended the highly anticipated Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting, which may open up a new avenue in diplomatic history.
The outcome of this unprecedented visit has been hailed as productive and positive for Islamabad, infusing a glimmer of hope into the tumultuous relationship between the two neighboring nations.
In a briefing to a Senate panel, Bilawal expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the trip, stating that it proved to be productive and positive for Islamabad.
During the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting held on May 5 in Goa, which was presided over by India as the current SCO Presidency, Bilawal actively participated in discussions.
He emphasized the importance of projecting Pakistan's stance and perspective not only to India but also to the other participating nations. Bilateral meetings with the Foreign Ministers of member countries were held on the sidelines of the event, which were described as positive and fruitful.
Bilawal further revealed that Pakistan is set to host the SCO conference in 2026-2027 and expressed hope that his Indian counterpart would attend the meeting.
While in Goa, no formal bilateral meeting took place between Bilawal and Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The last visit by a Pakistani Foreign Minister to India occurred in July 2011, when Hina Rabbani Khar visited for peace talks.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation was established on June 15, 2001, in Shanghai, initially comprising Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan joined the organization as member states subsequently.
The SCO serves as a platform for regional cooperation and dialogue on various issues, including security, economics, and cultural exchange.