Webdesk: Michael Kugelman, an American researcher, thinks that Pakistan “accomplished” what it set out to do. It is after Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari went to the Indian city of Goa for the SCO moot.
The top Pakistani official went to the two-day meeting in the coastal city. In Goa, all the attention was on Bilawal Bhutto and he stole the show.
In his official speech, the foreign minister replied to his Indian counterpart’s old mantra about cross-border terrorism by telling him not to “weaponize terrorism for diplomatic point scoring” and calling for cooperation among the member states.
South Asia Institute Director at The Wilson Centre in Washington, DC, Kugelman tweeted about what was going on in Goa: “There’s much criticism of the Pakistan FM’s visit to India for SCO, but he seems to done what Islamabad wanted. Participate in SCO deliberations and have separate sideline meetings with all SCO members except India.” On the side, there are private agreements.
‘Pakistan team did its job’
While Salman Bashir, the country’s former foreign minister, thinks that the choice to go to the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) summit was the right one.
“I think we made our point that we were there at a big SCO event. “The Pakistan delegation did its job, so they should be happy when they go home,” he told The News.
Former diplomat Javid Husain said. “The main reason FM went to Goa was to attend the meeting of SCO foreign ministers. It gave our foreign minister a chance to talk about Pakistan’s views on security. As well as on development, regional connectedness and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Afghanistan, climate change, Kashmir, and terrorism during discussions, interviews, and meetings at the conference.
Husain also said that Bilawal’s visit “showed how important Pakistan thinks the SCO is.”
Correct choice
Salman Zaidi agrees with the clear vision that led Pakistan to attend the SCO summit. He says, “Pakistan must never give up platforms to which it is a member. It is to the credit of our foreign policy establishment that a decision made to attend the SCO summit.”
Pakistan’s attendance at the summit is also a sign of how geopolitics are changing. The trip to Goa will help Pakistan in the long run.
Salman Zaidi agreed with this point when he said, “Global leaders are adapting to fast changes in geopolitics.” Pakistan should not only be present at these events, but it also has a lot to gain from diplomatic chances to deal with problems and use its strategic advantages.
‘No shocks’
Dr. Maleeha Lodhi, who used to represent Pakistan at the UN, thinks that there were no shocks during the visit.
“Everything went as planned during the stay. No shocks. Both countries stuck to their views, which didn’t help break the ice between them. Instead, it made things worse, making it impossible for their tense relationship to get better.
“Not what was needed”
Even though the visit praised by those who work in foreign policy, many people criticised how Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar treated the Pakistani group.
During a news conference after the summit, the Indian minister called Foreign Minister Bilawal “a promoter, justifier, and, I’m sorry to say, spokesperson for a terrorism industry that is the mainstay of Pakistan.”
Bashir said, “Jaishankar’s talk about Pakistan was not necessary. But that’s the norm in these kinds of cases… I think the most important thing is that India is not ready to talk to Pakistan right now. And I guess that’s okay with us.”
Husain agreed with this point of view. He said that “no breakthrough” in ties between India and Pakistan “expected” and that it didn’t happen at the SCO summit.
He also said that Jaishankar’s comments “clearly showed India’s stubbornness and its refusal to create an environment that would help Pakistan and India get on a better path.” India seems determined to take advantage of Pakistan’s political turmoil and weak economy to further its anti-Pakistan and hegemonic goals in the region. [Jaishankar] also pointed out that New Delhi is not willing to be flexible on the Kashmir problem, which is a must for a peaceful resolution.
“Indian behaviour is not good.”
On the other hand, Salman Zaidi called India’s actions “unfortunate,” but he thinks that Pakistan can still “claim its rightful stake in foreign affairs, especially regional issues” even though “vitriol from Indian officials” is to expected.
“India’s stance towards Pakistan is not surprising. The talking points are old, and the same old script about terrorists has been used in a new way. FM Jaishankar saved his worst insults for Pakistan, which is not appropriate for the top official of any host country. “Jaishankar more ideologically committed to anti-Pakistan rhetoric than any of his predecessors,” said Zaidi.
‘Excellent visit’
Mosharraf Zaidi, a political analyst, said, “It was a great meeting. It caused the Indian foreign minister to go on a rant, which showed that India couldn’t rise to the situation and participate in multilateral forums at the level expected of a regional power.
‘Superb on Kashmir’
In a tweet, Abdul Basit, who was a diplomat and was also Pakistan’s high commissioner to India, said that Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s conversation with Indian journalist Rajdeep Sardesai had left him with a good impression.
The former ambassador also said that the foreign minister “was especially good on Kashmir.”
