The External Affairs Minister of India, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, shook hands with Pakistani politician Bilawal Bhutto Zardari at the dinner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Tuesday, 3 May, according to sources.
The SCO meeting was held in the Indian state of Goa, and it was attended by the foreign ministers of the member countries. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the son of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and current chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), was also present at the dinner.
This gesture of Dr. Jaishankar, who is known for his tough stance on Pakistan, has drawn attention from various quarters. However, it is not the first time that leaders of the two countries have interacted on the sidelines of a multilateral forum.
Dr. Jaishankar has not made any official comment on the matter. However, sources close to him have said that he did not initiate the handshake, and it was Bilawal Bhutto who extended his hand first.
According to sources, the handshake lasted for a few seconds, and both leaders exchanged pleasantries. It is also reported that Dr. Jaishankar and Bilawal Bhutto had a brief conversation during the dinner.
The SCO meeting is an important forum for India as it provides a platform for dialogue with countries like China, Russia, and Pakistan. However, relations between India and Pakistan have been strained for many years due to a number of issues, including terrorism and the disputed region of Kashmir.
The gesture of Dr. Jaishankar has sparked a debate in India, with some people criticizing him for shaking hands with a Pakistani politician. However, others have defended his action, saying that it is a diplomatic protocol to exchange pleasantries with leaders of other countries, even if there are differences between the two nations.
Dr. Jaishankar is a veteran diplomat who has served as India’s Foreign Secretary and Ambassador to the United States and China. He is known for his no-nonsense approach to diplomacy and has been instrumental in India’s foreign policy initiatives.
In conclusion, the handshake between Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistani politician Bilawal Bhutto Zardari at the dinner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) has sparked a debate in India. While some criticize the gesture, others defend it as a diplomatic protocol. The SCO meeting is an important forum for India, but relations between India and Pakistan have been strained for many years due to a number of issues. Dr. Jaishankar is a veteran diplomat known for his no-nonsense approach to diplomacy and has been instrumental in India’s foreign policy initiatives.
