Bilawal Bhutto Zardari tweeted a video message this morning
New Delhi:
Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who will soon reach Goa for a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting, said his decision to attend the summit underlines Pakistan’s commitment to the SCO charter.
Zardari tweeted a video message this morning. “On the way to Goa, India. Will lead the Pakistan delegation to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization CFM. My decision to attend this meeting illustrates Pakistan’s strong commitment to SCO’s charter,” he tweeted.
“During my visit, which is exclusively focused on the SCO, I look forward to constructive conversations with my counterparts from friendly countries,” Zardari added.
On the way to Goa, India. Heads the Pakistani delegation to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization CFM. My decision to attend this meeting illustrates Pakistan’s strong commitment to the SCO Charter.
During my visit, which is exclusively focused on the SCO, I look… pic.twitter.com/cChUWj9okR
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) May 4, 2023
The 34-year-old politician would be the first foreign minister to visit India since 2011.
India currently holds the presidency of the SCO and had invited its members to the meeting in Goa in January.
The SCO is a Eurasian political, economic and security alliance made up of eight member countries: India, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan joined the organization as full members in 2017.
According to sources, a formal meeting between Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and Mr. Zardari is unlikely to take place during the two-day Goa summit.
Mr. Jaishankar had indirectly criticized the neighboring country during a recent interaction with the media in Panama City.
“It is very difficult for us to deal with a neighbor who commits cross-border terrorism against us. We have always told them to honor their commitment not to encourage, sponsor and carry out cross-border terrorism. I hope that one day we will reach that stage,” he said.
