The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit is set to take place in Islamabad, Pakistan, on October 15-16.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, announced on Thursday, August 29, 2024, that invitations have been sent to several countries for the summit scheduled for October 15-16.
She mentioned that some countries have already confirmed their participation in the SCO meeting.
According to a report by the Pakistani newspaper Dawn, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch confirmed that an invitation has also been extended to India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. However, India has not yet disclosed who will attend the summit on its behalf.
She stated that the list of participating countries will be disclosed soon. When asked about relations with India, the spokesperson mentioned that Pakistan does not have direct bilateral trade with India.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch added that several rounds of ministerial talks and senior officials' meetings will take place before the SCO summit, focusing on financial, economic, socio-cultural, and humanitarian cooperation among the SCO member countries.
In May last year, Pakistan’s then Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari visited India to participate in the two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting.
The SCO is an influential economic and security group comprising India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. It plays a crucial role in fostering regional collaboration on security, economic growth, and cultural exchange among its members.
India has consistently stated that it seeks normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan but emphasizes that it is Pakistan’s responsibility to create an environment free from terror and hostility for such relations to develop.