(Web Desk) — As Pakistan prepares to host the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in October, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be invited to the regional meeting.
This statement came amidst speculation that PM Modi might skip the summit due to ongoing tensions between the two countries, particularly related to the Kashmir issue.
In a recent interview with a private news channel, Asif stressed that extending an invitation to all member states’ leaders is a fundamental aspect of hosting SCO events. He highlighted that when India hosted the SCO summit in July 2023, it had extended an invitation to Pakistan’s then-Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
The Defence Minister underscored that the host country of the SCO summit is expected to invite all member states’ heads of government, emphasizing that omitting an invitation would be considered inappropriate and against SCO protocols.
On the matter of PM Modi’s participation, the Indian government has refuted media reports suggesting his absence. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement urging media outlets to avoid speculation, clarifying that no official decision regarding the Prime Minister’s attendance had been made. The MEA emphasized that such reports were premature and requested restraint from speculative news.
The SCO, spearheaded by Russia and China, remains a critical platform for India to engage with Central Asian countries on regional security and cooperation, despite India’s cautious stance towards China’s influence within the organization. India has notably not endorsed China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a point of contention in joint SCO statements.
Additionally, Asif addressed recent reports about Iran’s intention to pursue arbitration against Pakistan over delays in the IP gas pipeline project. He emphasized that completing the pipeline project is economically advantageous for Pakistan and noted the importance of maintaining strong economic ties with neighboring countries like Iran for resource needs.
