ISLAMABAD: While a whole host of international leaders descended on the federal capital for the SCO summit, it was invariably the Indian foreign minister who remained the centre of attention.

From his arrival, handshake and exchange of few words with PM Shehbaz Sharif, and even a morning stroll around the Indian High Commission compound, all seemed to be more important than the activities of other guests.

The curt Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who rarely misses a chance to undercut Islamabad with his words and statements, displayed the diplomatic snide that has become his hallmark, when he used the otherwise multilateral forum of the SCO to take subtle digs at Pakistan.

Over lunch on Wednesday, Mr Jaishankar and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar exchanged a few words. Media reports immediately clai­med that they were talking about cricket, but FM Dar did not respond when Dawn sought confirmation of this account.

On his way out, the top Indian diplomat — in a move that appeared to be more ‘optical than sincere’ — tweeted his gratitude for the hospitality and courtesy extended to him, addressing PM Shehbaz and FM Dar. But he didn’t come alone on this rare visit; the Indian external affairs minister’s excursion to Islamabad also provided a chance for several journalists from the neighbouring country to make the trek — a first for many of them.

Although the summit was held at the Convention Centre in Islamabad, a media centre had been set up for both Indian and Pakistani journalists at the Pak-China Friendship Centre.

Here, the sentiment among colleagues from across the border seemed to be that this summit had a much more positive vibe than the previous one held in Goa.

Shubhajit Roy of the Indian Express said he had been to Pakistan several times and was always excited to visit. The atmosphere in both countries this time around was quite positive, he noted.

Mr Roy claimed he had known Mr Jaishankar since he was a joint secretary, and described him as someone who always has his emotions in check, and can read the room wherever he is.

He noted that the foreign minister was probably ready to respond if something untoward was said and done from the Pakistani side. However, it seems the host nation didn’t give him or his delegation the opportunity to react.

Umashankar Singh of NDTV noted that this SCO summit was a departure from the previous iteration, where the actual agenda was sometimes abandoned in favour of bilateral name-calling.

Although they would’ve preferred to shop and go sightseeing, several Indian journalists found themselves being invited to local talk shows. This was just as well, since most markets and shops in the capital were shut for the sake of security, a detail that didn’t escape many eagle-eyed visitors.

But at the media centre, they chatted away with their colleagues from Pakistan, took selfies exchanged numbers, and also interviewed officials and ministers who would drop in for a few words.

Published in Dawn, October 17th, 2024