The upcoming Ministerial Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is scheduled to be held in September in India. This meeting will see various political leaders from SCO member nations, including Pakistan, attend the event. However, there is speculation regarding Pakistani politicians attending the meeting in India.
The SCO is a Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance that includes China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. It was formed in 2001 and has since then become a significant global organization. At present, the SCO’s primary goal is to promote economic and security cooperation among its member nations.
Pakistan’s participation in the SCO is vital for several reasons, including the country’s strategic location and its association with China. In addition, SCO membership provides Pakistan’s economy with access to the lucrative Central Asian market via China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
India’s hosting of the upcoming meeting is significant as it marks the country’s first major multilateral event since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The Ministry of External Affairs in India has stated that the event will be held in compliance with COVID-19 protocols.
However, Pakistani politicians’ participation in the event remains uncertain due to the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan. The two countries’ relationship has been complicated due to a long-standing territorial dispute over the region of Jammu and Kashmir. The dispute dates back to the period of partition in 1947, and both countries have made claims on the territory ever since.
The breakdown of relations between India and Pakistan began in February 2019, when a militant attack took place in the Indian-administered part of Kashmir. The Indian government accused Pakistan of being behind the attack, which was carried out by the militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed. The attack led to a diplomatic standoff between the two countries and an increase in military tensions.
Since then, relations between the two nations have remained strained, with cross-border gunfire exchanges and acts of terrorism continuing to occur. In August 2019, the Indian government scrapped a constitutional provision giving the Indian-administered part of Kashmir special status, further complicating the situation.
Given the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, the likelihood of Pakistani politicians attending the upcoming SCO meeting in India remains uncertain. Several factors will determine whether Pakistan sends politicians to the event, including the state of relations between the two countries, COVID-19 protocols, and other diplomatic matters.
One significant factor determining Pakistani politicians’ attendance will be the Indian government’s willingness to extend an invitation to Pakistan. However, given the current state of bilateral relations, it remains unclear if India will extend such an invitation.
Furthermore, COVID-19 protocols may also play a part in Pakistani politicians’ attendance. India remains a COVID-19 hotspot, with daily case numbers still high in many parts of the country. The Indian government has stated it will take stringent measures to ensure that the event is held safely, including quarantining attendees upon their arrival. The strict protocols may dissuade Pakistani politicians from attending, given the current state of India’s COVID-19 situation.
Another significant factor in Pakistani politicians’ attendance at the SCO meeting will be the state of diplomacy between the two countries. Although there have been small steps towards rapprochement in recent times, including a ceasefire agreement in February 2021, relations between India and Pakistan remain sensitive.
If Pakistani politicians do attend the SCO meeting in India, it would signal a significant step forward for relations between the two countries. However, given the ongoing tensions and unresolved issues between the two nations, the likelihood of this happening remains low.