In a significant development, Pakistan has formally extended an invitation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in Islamabad, scheduled for October 15-16. This move comes amidst a long history of strained relations between the two neighboring nations.
Pakistan currently holds the rotating chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG), and in this capacity, it will be hosting the two-day in-person summit in October.
The Foreign Office Spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, confirmed the invitation during a weekly press briefing. She stated that invitations have been sent to all heads of state to participate in the meeting, including Prime Minister Modi.
It remains unclear whether Prime Minister Modi will accept the invitation, given the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan. The two countries have a complex and often adversarial relationship, marked by territorial disputes, border skirmishes, and historical grievances. The SCO summit presents a potential platform for dialogue and cooperation, but the success of such efforts will depend on both countries’ willingness to engage constructively.
