List of Foreign Ministers that have Visited Pakistan till 2024

From 1947 to the present, India has had a total of 29 foreign ministers, each of whom plays a unique role in formulating India’s foreign policy and diplomatic relations with other countries.

The role of the Foreign Minister is complex and critical, requiring a deep understanding of international affairs and strong negotiation skills. They play a key role in representing India globally and promoting its global interests.

Currently, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar brings rich experience in diplomacy and international relations.

He is about to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Pakistan, a critical moment as it will be the first visit to the country by an Indian foreign minister in nearly a decade.

However, another foreign minister visited Pakistan in 2015 for the Heart of Asia Conference.

Wondering how many foreign ministers have visited Pakistan over the past few decades? In this article, we explore the history of foreign ministers’ visits to Pakistan and analyze the impact of these diplomatic events on the bilateral relations between India and Pakistan.

List of Indian foreign ministers to visit Pakistan before 2024

Below is the list of Indian foreign ministers who have visited Pakistan so far. These include:

foreign minister

Visit date

Purpose of visit

Sushma Swaraj

December 2015

Heart of Asia Conference

Jaishankar

October 15-16, 2024

Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit

1) Sushma Swaraj-Heart of Asia Conference

  • Sushma Swaraj’s visit to Pakistan on December 9-10, 2015, where she led the Indian delegation to the Asia Center Ministerial Conference on Afghanistan, marked an important moment in India-Pakistan relations .
  • The meeting was attended by representatives from 27 countries and focused on strengthening regional security and cooperation, especially the stability of Afghanistan.
  • Swaraj’s participation underscores India’s commitment to encouraging dialogue and cooperation in South Asia, especially in counter-terrorism efforts and strengthening economic connectivity.
  • During her visit, she met with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Foreign Affairs Adviser Aziz to discuss the resumption of comprehensive bilateral dialogue.
  • The visit is crucial as it signals India’s willingness to engage with Pakistan amid lingering tensions, signaling a possible thaw in relations and a proactive approach to regional diplomacy that emphasizes dialogue on the conflict

2) Jaishankar-Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit

  • Jaishankar will visit Pakistan on October 15 and 16, 2024, to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Heads of Government Council meeting.
  • This is the first visit to Pakistan by an Indian foreign minister in nearly a decade. The SCO is an important multilateral platform that includes major regional players such as China, Russia and Pakistan and focuses on economic cooperation and security issues.
  • Jaishankar’s involvement underscores India’s commitment to engaging with regional partners on broader security and economic challenges, not just bilateral issues with Pakistan.
  • He emphasized that this visit was not to directly discuss India-Pakistan relations, but to promote multilateral cooperation within the framework of the SCO.
  • This strategy embodies India’s approach to cataloging its foreign policy interactions while firmly safeguarding its national interests in the face of complex regional dynamics.

Also Read | List of Indian Foreign Ministers