NEW DELHI: In what could provide some diplomatic bilateral drama in New Delhi, Pakistan’s foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will visit India on May 4 to attend the Shanghai Corporation Organisation (SCO) meeting in Goa.
This will be the second in-person participation by Pakistan in an SCO meeting hosted by India. The recently appointed Charge d’Affaires in New Delhi, Salman Sharif, attended an SCO meeting in March. “Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will lead the Pakistan delegation for the SCO foreign ministers’ meet (May 4th and 5th) in Goa.
The FM’s participation in the meeting reflects Pakistan’s continued commitment to SCO charter and processes and the importance that Pakistan accords to the region in its foreign policy priorities,’’ said Pakistan’s foreign office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahrah Baloch.
She added that Bhutto is going on the invitation of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Hina Rabbani Khar was the last Pakistan foreign minister to visit India in 2011. Bilawal’s visit comes after a 12- year gap. Meanwhile, there is no confirmation yet on whether Pakistan will take part in the upcoming Defence Ministers’ meet being held in New Delhi from April 27 to 29.