Arjuna Sapling Planted by Jaishankar at Indian High Commission in Islamabad

On Tuesday, External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S. Jaishankar arrived in Islamabad for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of Government summit.

On Tuesday, External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S. Jaishankar arrived in Islamabad for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of Government summit. Shortly after, he met Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, during a dinner reception hosted for SCO delegates. Their brief conversation came amid strained relations between India and Pakistan, marked by the ongoing Kashmir conflict and concerns over cross-border terrorism. The following morning, Jaishankar visited the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, where he planted an Arjuna sapling, symbolizing environmental diplomacy and India’s commitment to sustainability. The EAM shared his experience on the microblogging platform X, posting photos of his morning stroll with colleagues from the Indian High Commission and the sapling-planting ceremony.

Jaishankar remarked, “An Arjuna sapling at @IndiainPakistan premises is another commitment to #Plant4Mother,” highlighting India’s environmental consciousness. The last such visit was by Sushma Swaraj 2015 for an Afghanistan conference. Despite the symbolic gestures, both nations have ruled out bilateral discussions between Jaishankar and his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar, during the summit. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the SCO CHG summit, held annually, emphasizes trade and economic cooperation among member states. Jaishankar’s presence reflects India’s continued engagement with the SCO, reaffirming its active participation in its mechanisms and initiatives. He reiterated that while India seeks good relations with Pakistan, these cannot come at the expense of overlooking cross-border terrorism.