India ‘s Foreign Minister to Attend SCO Summit in Pakistan
The foreign minister of India will visit Pakistan on 15th & 16th October to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, which will be conducted for the first time in over 10 years The trip would be led by S. Jaishankar, the Foreign Minister, Randhir Jaiswal said during a press briefing. As Pakistan is hosting the event because of its annual presidency, this is a significant occasion for regional diplomacy.
Pakistan’s Invitation to Prime Minister Modi
The importance of this collaboration was further confirmed this week by the Pakistani Foreign Office (FO) that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had been invited to the summit. Both countries look passionate to global collaboration under the SCO system, despite rigid friendships. To protect everyone attending the event, a thorough security plan comprising the Pakistan Army, Rangers, and police has been authorized.
India A Decade-Long Diplomatic visits
Its almost ten years since an Indian politician visited Pakistan, therefore the visit by the foreign minister of India is very important. In May 2023, former Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari visited India for the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting, marking the most recent high-level visit. This friendly exchange of visits shows how the SCO have significance as a forum for dialogue and cooperation—even amongst traditionally or religiously unfriendly nations like India and Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Efforts to Engage Diplomatically Despite Tensions
Pakistan wants to engage diplomatically. it is evident by its willingness to host the event despite constant tensions over topics like Kashmir. For India, agreeing to attend the summit shows an act of balancing inside the SCO. India has been worried about China’s expanding influence in the group, but it also realizes how crucial regional security and economic connections are, especially with Central Asian countries.
India Strategic Engagement in the SCO
India’s participation in the SCO, particularly in a summit held in Pakistan, is a continuation of its strategy to engage selectively within multilateral platforms. India has adopted a nuanced approach toward the SCO, avoiding full endorsement of all initiatives, particularly those led by China. However, it remains invested in the organization for its potential to enhance regional security and economic ties.
A History of Multilateral Diplomacy
This isn’t the first time India has had efforts to manage its relationships with Pakistan and China in a group setting. In July 2023, when India held a virtual meeting for the SCO Council of Heads of State, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took part shows that Pakistan is willing to engage even with ongoing tensions between the two countries. also, former Pakistani Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz visited India in 2016 for the Heart of Asia conference, showing that both nations can come together for bigger regional issues when needed.
A Delicate Diplomatic Balancing Act
Overall, India’s choice to attend the SCO Summit in Pakistan shows how they are balancing regional cooperation while dealing with its cautious relationships with both Pakistan and China. As India works to build connections with Central Asian countries, it’s clear that the SCO is an important path for its regional diplomacy, even in tough geopolitical situations.
