Islamabad: Indian Commerce Minister will attend the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting hosted by Pakistan.
According to informed sources, the meeting of SCO Trade Ministers will take place in Islamabad on Thursday. India has been invited to attend the meeting with other SCO members.
Sources indicate that India has confirmed its participation online, meaning its Commerce Minister will not travel to Pakistan.
This arrangement could serve as a template for India’s participation in other SCO meetings, including the Heads of Government Council meeting scheduled in Islamabad in October.
Pakistan had already extended an invitation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the meeting.
It is anticipated that India will also participate online in the conference on October 15 and 16, similar to its participation in the Trade Ministers’ meeting.
It is unlikely that India will attend the SCO meeting in person, though other member countries are expected to send high-level delegations.
China has already confirmed that its Prime Minister will visit Islamabad for the SCO meeting and a bilateral visit.
The SCO is a Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance founded in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
Later, India, Pakistan, and Iran were included as full members, while Afghanistan, Belarus, and Mongolia were added as observers and other countries as dialogue partners.
The SCO is often viewed as a counterbalance to Western alliances like NATO and plays a significant role in promoting regional cooperation.
Pakistan participated in all SCO meetings last year, whether hosted in person or virtually by India. Bilawal Bhutto visited Goa in May 2023 for the SCO Foreign Ministers’ meeting.
India had sent an invitation to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the SCO summit in New Delhi. However, before Pakistan could decide on its participation in the summit in New Delhi, India abruptly decided to host the meeting online.
It is believed that this decision was influenced by tensions with China and Pakistan. The SCO is crucial for addressing regional security concerns, including terrorism, extremism, and separatism.
The organization conducts joint military exercises and intelligence sharing among member states and promotes economic cooperation through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
It aims to enhance trade, energy partnerships, and infrastructure development in Eurasia.
The SCO also provides a platform for member countries to align on major international issues, often advocating for a multipolar global system and challenging Western dominance in global affairs.
The July 4, 2023, summit, held via video conference and hosted by India, was a significant moment for the organization as it marked the first time India presided over the SCO since becoming a full member in 2017.