India is participating in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of National Coordinators meeting in Islamabad from September 28 to 30, with Joint Secretary Alok Dimri representing the Indian delegation.
The meeting is taking place against the backdrop of continuing tensions between India and Pakistan and the absence of substantive bilateral engagement between the two countries. Despite their differences, both sides have continued to participate in SCO mechanisms and meetings, keeping bilateral issues separate from the organisation’s multilateral framework.
Islamabad is expected to invite leaders of all SCO member states, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Whether Modi will travel to Pakistan for the summit remains uncertain. India’s engagement with Pakistan through SCO mechanisms has so far continued without translating into a broader resumption of bilateral dialogue. It was the first visit by an Indian external affairs minister to Pakistan in nearly nine years. The SCO framework allows India and Pakistan to continue participating in multilateral activities despite their bilateral differences. Under the SCO Charter, member states are expected to keep bilateral disputes separate from the organisation’s proceedings.
The discussions will eventually lead to the SCO Council of Heads of State summit, which Pakistan is scheduled to host in August 2027. In October 2024, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar travelled to Islamabad for the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting.
