As Pakistan prepares to host the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, questions linger about India’s participation in the event. Pakistan has extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with other world leaders, for the international gathering scheduled for October this year. While the Prime Minister’s attendance is deemed unlikely, the possibility of India sending a ministerial delegation or participating virtually remains open.
The SCO summit, specifically the Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting, holds significant importance as it is the second highest decision-making body within the Eurasian group. Pakistan, currently holding the rotating chairmanship of the CHG, will host the meeting on October 15-16. India’s participation in the SCO, particularly in Pakistan, is a complex issue influenced by the strained bilateral relationship between the two nations.
The Prime Minister’s absence from the CHG meeting in Kazakhstan earlier this year, due to a parliamentary session, provides a precedent. In 2022, India was represented by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar at the CHG meeting in Bishkek. However, the possibility of India participating virtually if no physical representatives attend remains unclear.
India and Pakistan, both full-time members of the SCO, have a history of cooperation within the framework of the organization, particularly in areas where bilateral issues are not on the table. The SCO charter prohibits member-states from raising bilateral disputes, allowing for collaboration on shared interests.
Despite the shared membership, India remains cautious about the SCO’s potential anti-western platform and has consistently refrained from endorsing China’s Belt and Road Initiative in joint statements.
Several factors contribute to India’s uncertain participation in the upcoming SCO summit in Pakistan. Recent terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan’s dissatisfaction with the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 have further escalated tensions. The last visit of an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan was in 2015 when Late Sushma Swaraj traveled to Islamabad.
The SCO summit presents an opportunity for India and Pakistan to engage on a multilateral platform, but the complexities of their relationship and current geopolitical dynamics make participation a sensitive issue. India’s final decision will likely be influenced by a careful assessment of these factors, highlighting the delicate balance between diplomatic engagement and national interests.
