India’s Participation in SCO Raises Questions About PM’s Visit to Pakistan
NEW DELHI: India’s recent involvement in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting of national coordinators in Islamabad has sparked speculation about whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the upcoming heads of state summit in Pakistan next year. This event marks a significant moment as it would be the first visit by an Indian leader to Pakistan since the Pahalgam terrorist attack in 2025.
While Modi has attended every in-person summit since India became a full SCO member in 2017, officials caution that past participation doesn’t assure a visit to Pakistan, a nation India has labeled as a persistent supporter of terrorism. Alok Dimri, India’s additional secretary, represented the nation at the meeting, which centers on planning high-level discussions among SCO members.
This year’s meeting highlights the peculiar nature of the SCO, which is primarily influenced by China and Russia, allowing it to remain unaffected by the lingering tensions between India and Pakistan, unlike the regional cooperation seen in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
Before confirming any visit by the Prime Minister, sources indicate that India will consider Pakistan’s ongoing backing of cross-border terrorism, which plays a crucial role in shaping the diplomatic landscape. This evaluation likely extends to upcoming discussions involving defense and foreign ministers prior to the heads of state meeting.
Following the recent gathering, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to reach out to SCO member leaders, inviting them to the summit. Modi last received such an invite from Sharif for a similar meeting held in Islamabad in 2024, but instead of attending, India was represented by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
The Council of Heads of State (CHS) is the main decision-making unit within the SCO, and Modi’s attendance at these gatherings is significant. Pakistan took over the chairmanship from Kyrgyzstan last month, which may influence the dynamics of future meetings.
Despite Modi not attending the summit in Kazakhstan in 2024, India will likely evaluate various geopolitical factors beyond the issue of terrorism emanating from Pakistan when deciding on his potential visit. Engagement with the SCO is also seen as a way for India to balance its relationships, especially as it seeks to normalize ties with China while maintaining its long-standing partnership with Russia.
Dimri’s recent visit to Pakistan was met with warmth, notably captured in an official photo with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. According to Dimri, the agenda finalized at the meeting focuses on shared welfare and prosperity, emphasizing connectivity, trade, and transit. This program is set to continue for a year, culminating in the summit in Islamabad.
