FM Bilawal Bhutto denies seeking a meeting with Indian PM
Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Bilawal Bhutto, has dismissed speculations surrounding his visit to India and clarified that it should not be misconstrued regarding bilateral ties between the two neighboring countries. Bilawal Bhutto is scheduled to attend a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Goa next month, which will be the first visit by a Pakistani foreign minister to India in nearly a decade.
Relations between India and Pakistan have been fraught for years, and the two nuclear-armed neighbors have fought three wars. During his conversation with Media on Thursday, Bilawal Bhutto clarified that he did not request to arrange a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
India is hosting an SCO meeting from May 4 to 5 in Goa, and the SCO is an eight-member political and security bloc that includes Russia and China. According to Bilawal Bhutto, Pakistan’s participation in the SCO meeting should not be interpreted as a bilateral visit, but rather in the context of the SCO. Bilawal Bhutto emphasized that Pakistan is committed to the SCO charter and the process, and the significance that the country gives to the region as a foreign policy priority is demonstrated by their attendance at the meeting. He added that they cannot let India isolate Pakistan further.
As per the sources of state-run radio, there has been no request made for a bilateral meeting between the foreign ministers of Pakistan and India on this particular occasion. This visit will be the first to India by a top Pakistani official since then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif attended Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swearing-in in 2014.
The SCO meeting is an essential opportunity for Pakistan to engage with its regional partners and discuss matters of mutual interest, particularly in the context of regional security and economic cooperation. The SCO has emerged as a vital platform for promoting peace, stability, and regional cooperation. Pakistan has been an active member of the SCO since its inception and has made significant contributions to the organization’s activities and initiatives.
Pakistan has consistently emphasized the importance of regional cooperation and connectivity as a vital component of its foreign policy. Pakistan believes in a peaceful and stable regional environment, which can only be achieved through sustained engagement, cooperation, and dialogue with its neighbors.
Pakistan’s participation in the SCO meeting is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it highlights Pakistan’s commitment to regional cooperation and integration. Secondly, it provides Pakistan with an opportunity to engage with its regional partners and discuss matters of mutual interest. Thirdly, it allows Pakistan to showcase its potential and capabilities as a regional power.
Moreover, Pakistan’s participation in the SCO meeting is crucial for its economic development and regional connectivity. Pakistan is strategically located at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East, and has enormous potential as a regional hub for trade and commerce. The SCO provides an ideal platform for Pakistan to enhance its regional connectivity and explore new avenues for trade and investment.
Pakistan has been working on several projects aimed at enhancing regional connectivity and promoting economic integration. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) that aims to connect China with the Arabian Sea through Pakistan. The CPEC project can potentially transform Pakistan’s economy and make it a regional hub for trade and commerce.
Pakistan has also been working on other regional connectivity projects, such as the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline and the Central Asia-South Asia (CASA-1000) electricity transmission project. These projects are aimed at enhancing regional connectivity and promoting economic integration.
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Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto‘s visit to India to attend the SCO meeting is a significant development for Pakistan’s foreign policy. Pakistan’s participation in the meeting highlights its commitment to regional cooperation and integration and provides an opportunity to engage with its regional partners.
