Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and Pak counterpart Ishaq Dar.
Islamabad: Informal talks were held between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar on two occasions since Tuesday evening on the sidelines of the SCO summit. During a meeting, ways to improve India-Pakistan cricket relations were discussed. Diplomatic sources said that this conversation took place on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) conference, but there was no sign of any softening in the frosty bilateral relations between the two countries. Pakistan’s Information Minister Ataullah Tarar said that Jaishankar’s visit to Islamabad has melted the ice on relations.
Sources said that on Tuesday evening, a separate meeting took place between Jaishankar and Dar at a dinner hosted by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at his residence for SCO representatives. He told that Pakistan Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi also attended this meeting and in a brief conversation, improvement in cricket relations was discussed. Naqvi is also the chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). It is learned that the Pakistani side requested India’s participation in the ICC Champions Trophy cricket tournament to be hosted by Pakistan in February next year.
The two foreign ministers had their meal sitting side by side.
Sources said Jaishankar and Dar were seen sitting next to each other and chatting at the official banquet after the SCO summit on Wednesday, which appears to be a positive sign. He refused to elaborate on this. A source said that arrangements were made to sit with Jaishankar and Dar. “Neither we nor he requested for a bilateral meeting,” Tarar was quoted in the media as saying. But I believe that his (Jaishankar’s) coming here is a step towards melting the ice in relations.” A senior Pakistani official said that an overall positive atmosphere was created regarding Jaishankar’s visit to Pakistan. Before the summit, Pakistan Prime Minister Sharif shook hands with Jaishankar and warmly welcomed him and the leaders of other SCO member countries at the summit venue ‘Jinnah Convention Centre’.
Before leaving Islamabad, Jaishankar thanked Shahbaz and Dar
Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif and Jaishankar also shook hands and had a brief conversation during dinner yesterday. After this, before leaving from Islamabad, Jaishankar thanked Prime Minister Sharif and Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in a post on ‘X’. He also described the meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of SCO as ‘meaningful’. Jaishankar said, “I am leaving from Islamabad.” Thanks to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and the Government of Pakistan for the hospitality.” Two officials quoted External Affairs Minister Jaishankar’s post on ‘X’ and said that his visit was good and it created a good atmosphere. (Language)
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