Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday, marking their first interaction in nearly a decade. The brief exchange occurred during a banquet dinner hosted by Sharif in honor of delegates attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
While the diplomatic meeting was significant, it was the backdrop of the venue that captured the attention of netizens, who ridiculed the setting as resembling a “barati reception entrance.” Comments on social media questioned the decor, with some users asking if the curtains were sourced from a tent rental service. One user remarked, “What are those curtains in the background from a tent house?” Another quipped, “If you’re going to a wedding, make sure to enjoy the paneer and biryani.”
Amid the humorous critiques, some users expressed frustration, suggesting the setting seemed more appropriate for a wedding than a multilateral event, with one noting, “It feels like a marriage is happening here. It doesn’t look like a significant diplomatic gathering.”
Pakistan is hosting the SCO summit under tight security, with the capital city almost locked down. The main conference is scheduled for Wednesday. Reports indicate that Jaishankar also exchanged pleasantries with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar during the reception.