External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had gone to Pakistan saying that he was not going to hold bilateral talks or talk about improving relations. The sole purpose of his visit is the meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organization i.e. SCO. He completed a two-day journey on this line. But there is no doubt that this visit has melted the ice between the two countries. Relations between the two countries were frozen for the last nine years. But the way the Foreign Minister was welcomed in Pakistan and the way songs were played to welcome him and the way Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif met him. The effect of all of them was positive.
Jaishankar did not hold bilateral talks as per his wish but bilateral meetings did take place. It is reported that Jaishankar met twice with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar. Both the meetings were informal but there were reports of discussions on many issues. It is even being said that at some level there was talk of starting cricket matches between the two countries. However, Jaishankar had said on the very first day of the SCO meeting that terrorism and trade cannot go together. Nevertheless, some work can be done towards restoration of formal relations between the two countries. If Pakistan adheres to the ceasefire agreement, some changes may be seen in the next few days.