Pakistan FM Bilawal Bhutto’s Message Ahead Of Arrival In Goa For Regional Meet

The Pakistan foreign minister's visit to India for the SCO meet in Goa is the first such trip from Islamabad since 2011.

1 minute read

May 4, 2023 12:29 pm

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari was all smiles on Thursday as he departed for Goa to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting. — Photo courtesy: MoFA Twitter

New Delhi: Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari arrived in Goa on Thursday to attend a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) conclave, news agency PTI reported. The Pakistan foreign minister’s visit to India is the first such trip from Islamabad since 2011. Bhutto Zardari’s visit comes as relations between India and Pakistan remain strained over a number of issues, including Islamabad’s continued support for cross-border terrorism.

“I am very happy to participate and lead the Pakistani delegation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and I expect the meeting to be a success,” PTI quoted Pak FM Bhutto as saying after arriving in Goa.

Foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari arrived in Goa on Thursday. — Photo courtesy: ANI

According to people familiar with the preparations for the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) conclave, there is no plan for a bilateral meeting between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Bhutto Zardari as there has been no request from the Pakistani side.

Bhutto informed about his visit to India on Twitter. In a tweet, he said, “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 the SCO.” “During my visit, which is focused exclusively on the SCO, I look forward to constructive discussions with my counterparts from friendly countries,” he said.

Currently, eight countries enjoy the status of the SCO full members: India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan; four countries — Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Mongolia — have an observer status with the SCO, and six countries — Azerbaijan, Armenia, Cambodia, Nepal, Turkey and Sri Lanka — have a dialogue partner status in the grouping.