External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar reached Islamabad this afternoon on a two-day visit to Pakistan to attend the 23rd Meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government. The SCO meeting will be held tomorrow under the chairmanship of Pakistan. The SCO CHG meeting is held annually and focuses on the trade and economic agenda of the Organisation. Dr. Jaishankar will represent India at the meeting. India remains actively engaged in the SCO format, including various mechanisms and initiatives within the SCO framework.

The External Affairs Minister had earlier remarked that his Pakistan visit is for a multilateral event and he had ruled out bilateral talks. This is the first high-level visit of an Indian Foreign Minister to the neighbouring nation in nine years.