A possible warming of ties between the nuclear-armed foes can be seen in India’s invitation to Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to attend a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) that it is holding in May.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended an invitation for negotiations with India on unresolved issues, including the illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir. He requested talks to address all outstanding issues, including IIOJK. The invitation was extended to address the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan.
Just one month prior, protests against Bilawal’s comments criticizing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi outside of a UN Security Council meeting took place on Indian streets. The foreign minister’s comments were described as “uncivilized” by India.
Two foreign ministries did not respond to Reuters inquiry about Bilawal’s invitation to SCO meeting in Goa. No immediate reaction was given. Bilawal’s invitation to the meeting has been reported.
The SCO is made up of India, Pakistan, China, Russia, and four countries in Central Asia.
The invitation was given out, according to the Indian Express newspaper, by the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.
If Pakistan agrees, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari would visit India for the first time as its foreign minister in nearly 12 years.
Since both Pakistan and India were freed from British rule in 1947, there have been three conflicts between the two nations. Two of the conflicts had their beginnings in Kashmir, a divided Himalayan territory.
“India and Pakistan in Standoff over Accusations of Support for Ongoing Unrest in Kashmir”
India accuses Pakistan of supporting the ongoing unrest in Kashmir, which is mostly under its control, by providing material support. Pakistan denies the charge made by India.
In Late January 2019, tensions flared up once more after India abruptly withdrew Kashmir’s autonomous status. Furthermore, India had illegally controlled the autonomous status of Kashmir since 1989. According to PM Shehbaz, New Delhi’s activities led to “flagrant” human rights violations in that country.
Despite some efforts to resume official talks through covert diplomacy, official talks between two countries have been suspended since then. However, in 2021, the final attempt was mediated by the United Arab Emirates. Additionally, PM Shehbaz once more requested assistance to aid in resuming talks with India.
