SCO Summit
As Pakistan prepares to host the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in October this year, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed on Tuesday that Islamabad would indeed invite Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the regional gathering.
The minister’s statement came amidst widespread speculation that PM Modi might abstain from attending the summit, following reports aired by certain media outlets.
These reports suggested that strained relations between the two South Asian nations, particularly over the long-standing Kashmir dispute, could influence India’s decision.
Speaking to a private news channel, Khawaja Asif addressed the ongoing rumors, stating, “Yes, certainly there should be no doubt about it,” when asked whether Pakistan would extend an invitation to the Indian premier.
Asif emphasized that as the host country, Pakistan is obligated to invite all member states, and failing to do so would be inappropriate and unacceptable to the SCO.
Reflecting on India’s previous role as the host of the SCO in July 2023, Asif noted that India had invited then-foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to Delhi.
He stressed that the principles of the SCO dictate that all member states must be treated equally, and the host nation does not have the prerogative to exclude any member from the summit.
The Indian government, a day earlier, had dismissed media reports suggesting that PM Modi would not attend the upcoming SCO summit in Pakistan.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement urging media outlets to refrain from speculating on the matter.
According to a report, the Indian foreign ministry stated, “We have noticed several outlets are running news that the PM [Modi] won’t attend an SCO meeting in Pakistan or EAM [external affairs minister] will attend an SCO meeting in Pakistan.”
The ministry further clarified, “MEA hasn’t commented on this matter and would request speculative news in this regard be avoided.”
The SCO, spearheaded by Russia and China, remains a vital multilateral platform for India, particularly in terms of regional security and collaboration with Central Asian nations.
Despite India’s cautious stance regarding China’s influence within the organisation, it views the SCO as an essential forum for engaging with these countries.
However, unlike other member states, India has consistently refrained from endorsing China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a stance that has led to disagreements within the SCO.
In addition to discussing the upcoming SCO summit, Khawaja Asif also addressed reports regarding Iran’s intentions to take legal action against Pakistan for failing to construct the pipeline under the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas project.
Asif urged that Pakistan should proceed with the gas pipeline project, emphasizing its economic benefits.
He remarked, “Iran is our neighborly country, and if we need oil, gas, or any other mineral resources, then the neighboring countries are economically beneficial.”
As the SCO summit approaches, Pakistan’s diplomatic stance will likely be scrutinized, especially in the context of its relationship with India.
The upcoming summit could serve as a platform for easing tensions, or it could highlight the enduring complexities of South Asian geopolitics.
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