India SCO meeting: FM Bilawal meets Russian counterpart Lavrov

FM becomes first high-profile Pakistani figure to land in India in 12 years

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Minister for Foreign Affairs Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Thursday met his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting, said the MoFA spokesperson. 

Both leaders discussed bilateral, regional, and international matters of mutual interest and vowed to extend cooperation on multiple fronts including food security, energy, and people-to-people contact.

"SCO opens new vistas of cooperation and coordination with Russia," the FO stated.

— Spokesperson MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) May 4, 2023

The minister is set to come across Indian FM Subrahmanyam Jaishankar at the dinner hosted for the attendees at 9pm. Later, at 9.30pm, he will share the space with his Uzbek counterpart Baxtiyor Saidov.

Mr Zardari, earlier, said his participation along with a Pakistani delegation in SCO’s Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) moot in Goa, India showed how much importance Pakistan gave to the organisation.

“My participation gives a clear message that how Pakistan shows importance to the SCO and how seriously it takes its membership,” the foreign minister said in a video message before his departure to attend the SCO’s CFM meeting in Goa.

He said he looked forward to engaging the countries which were part of this organization.

Bilawal said his decision to attend this meeting illustrated Pakistan’s strong commitment to the charter of SCO. “During my visit, which is focused exclusively on the SCO, I look forward to constructive discussions with my counterparts from friendly countries”, the foreign minister said in a tweet.

Later, speaking to the media after landing in Goa, the foreign minister said, "I am happy that I have reached here in Goa to attend the SCO meeting. I hope that the SCO CFM will be a success."

Earlier, the FM departed for India to attend a two-day meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) that is kicking off today. 

Mr Bhutto will land in India's state Goa to attend the meeting of the foreign ministers of SCO member states.

Upon Pakistan’s request, the minister was granted sepcial permission by the Indian civil aviation authority to use the Indian airspace. 

The attendants will discuss wide range of issues including economic coordination and regional security. It will be the first visit of a Pakistani high-ranking government official to India since the visit of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in 2014.

On my way to Goa, India. Will be leading the Pakistan delegation at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization CFM. My decision to attend this meeting illustrates Pakistan’s strong commitment to the charter of SCO. During my visit, which is focused exclusively on the SCO, I look… pic.twitter.com/cChUWj9okR

— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) May 4, 2023

According to Foreign Office, Pakistan delegation is attending the meeting at the invitation of India's Minister for External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar who is current Chair of the SCO, CFM.

The Foreign Office said our participation in the meeting reflects Pakistan's commitment to the SCO Charter and processes and the importance that Islamabad accords to the region in its foreign policy priorities.

Since becoming a member in 2017, Pakistan has been actively and constructively contributing in all SCO activities to realize its multi-sectoral aims and objectives in a mutually beneficial manner.

On the sidelines of the CFM meeting, the Foreign Minister will also meet with his counterparts of friendly countries.

-- Fawad takes jibe at Bailwal's visit -- 

PTI leader and former information minister strongly condemned foreign minister Bialwal Bhutto-Zardari's visit to Goa, saying participation would have been possible on video but problem is "you people in love of Modi are ready to disregard atrocities committed by Modi Janta in Kashmir and hardships Muslims of India and minorities to make Modi Janta happy".

— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) May 4, 2023

He said Pakistan's foreign policy was dead by all definitions of the word.

PTI chief Imran also criticised Mr Zardari saying, "The Kashmir issue holds no importance for Bilawal".