Pakistan extends invite to Prime Minister Modi, among other SCO heads of state
Pakistan has extended an invitation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with other leaders from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), for the upcoming Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting scheduled for October. Despite the invitation, it is unlikely that Modi will visit Islamabad due to ongoing strained relations between the two nations. It remains to be seen whether he will delegate a minister to represent India, as has been customary in the past.
Pakistan will host the CHG meeting on October 15-16, as it currently holds the rotating chairmanship of this key decision-making body within the SCO, which is second in importance only to the Council of Heads of State. Modi, who regularly attends the heads of state summits, missed the recent one in Kazakhstan due to a scheduling conflict with a Parliament session. In previous years, India has typically sent a minister to attend these meetings, with Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar representing the country at last year's gathering in Bishkek. It is uncertain whether virtual participation will be an option for leaders unable to attend in person.
Both India and Pakistan are full SCO members, a group led by Russia and China that India considers crucial for regional security and collaboration with Central Asia. As Pakistan prepares to host the SCO summit in October 2024, there are diplomatic complexities surrounding India's participation. While Modi has been invited, recent tensions, including terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan’s criticism of India's abrogation of Article 370, add to the uncertainty.
India’s approach to the SCO has been cautious, partly due to the organization’s perceived anti-Western stance and China's dominant role. India's skepticism is further highlighted by its refusal to endorse the Belt and Road Initiative. Nonetheless, the SCO provides a rare platform for India and Pakistan to engage, as its charter prohibits members from addressing bilateral issues. The final decision on India's participation will likely depend on evolving geopolitical conditions and domestic considerations as the summit date approaches.