SCO Summit Agenda: Key Discussions on Regional Cooperation and Economic Ties

SCO Summit: India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is scheduled to visit Pakistan on Tuesday to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. This visit is significant as it marks the first time in nearly nine years that an Indian Foreign Minister will travel to Pakistan. The visit takes place against a backdrop of ongoing tensions between the two neighboring countries, particularly over issues such as cross-border terrorism and Kashmir.

High-Level Visits and Bilateral Talks

On the eve of the summit, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang to discuss key bilateral matters. The two leaders also virtually inaugurated Gwadar Airport, a project funded by China. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their strategic partnership, highlighting mutual trust and shared goals.

Summit Attendees

The SCO summit will bring together leaders from several member and observer states. Notable attendees include:

• S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India
• Li Qiang, Prime Minister of China
• Mikhail Mishustin, Prime Minister of Russia
• Roman Golovchenko, Prime Minister of Belarus
• Olzhas Bektenov, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan
• Akylbek Zhaparov, Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan
• Abdulla Nigmatovich Aripov, Prime Minister of Uzbekistan
• Mohammad Mokhber, First Vice President of Iran
• Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai, Prime Minister of Mongolia (Observer)

The summit will feature the Foreign Ministers and the Deputy Chairman of Turkmenistan's Cabinet as special guests.

Agenda of the 23rd CHG Meeting

The 23rd Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting will focus on reviewing the organization's achievements and discussing ongoing cooperation in key areas such as commerce, economy, environmental sustainability, and cultural ties. Leaders will also decide on the SCO's budget and consider new measures to enhance collaboration among member states.

Indo-Pak Relations Amid Tensions

India and Pakistan's relationship has been strained in recent years, with significant flashpoints being the 2019 Pulwama terror attack and India's subsequent airstrikes on a terrorist camp in Balakot. The situation worsened when India revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019In reaction, Pakistan lowered its diplomatic relations with India. While India seeks normal diplomatic relations with Pakistan, it has emphasized that Islamabad must take steps to create a terrorism-free environment. Jaishankar's visit, though brief, is seen as a significant moment amid these ongoing tensions.

Also read: S Jaishankar on Pakistan visit, for the SCO summit... First PAK visit of an Indian Foreign Minister after 9 Jaishankar’s visit to Pakistan for the SCO summit is an important diplomatic event that reflects ongoing regional cooperation efforts, even as tensions remain high between India and Pakistan.