25th SCO Summit 2024: S. Jaishankar’s Visit to Pakistan

SCO Summit 2024 Overview

• Islamabad to host the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit on October 15-16, 2024
• Theme: "Strengthening Multilateral Dialogue—Striving Towards a Sustainable Peace and Prosperity"
• Pakistan, under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, chairs the SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG)
• Key participants include leaders from China, Russia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Belarus
• Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's visit marks the first high-level Indian official visit to Pakistan in nearly nine years

SCO Background and Objectives

• Established on June 15, 2001, in Shanghai, China
• Expanded to nine member countries with India and Pakistan joining in 2017

Primary goals:

a) Strengthen mutual trust and cooperation among member states

b) Promote collaboration in political, economic, cultural, and security domains

c) Ensure regional stability and security through collective efforts against terrorism and extremism

• Governance structure includes Heads of State Council (HSC), Heads of Government Council (HGC), and Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS)
• Focus on enhancing regional security, economic cooperation, and combating terrorism

Summit Agenda and Key Issues

• Combating terrorism: Addressing cross-border terrorism and enhancing security cooperation
• Economic collaboration: Promoting trade and investment initiatives, including India's "Make in India" program
• Climate change and environmental protection: Emphasizing sustainable practices and climate-resilient infrastructure
• Regional stability and security: Reviewing the organization's activities and strategizing for future cooperation
• Strengthening multilateral dialogue: Fostering cooperation amid rising global tensions

India-Pakistan Relations and Summit Dynamics

• Tensions remain high due to the 2019 Pulwama attack and subsequent events
• Both countries have ruled out bilateral talks during the summit
• Jaishankar and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif exchanged greetings at an informal dinner
• Former Pakistani leaders express hope for improved relations:

a) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari urged bilateral talks, acknowledging terrorism as a shared concern

b) Anwaar-ul-Hq Kakar noted a "deep appetite" in Pakistan for improved ties with India

• India maintains its stance on addressing cross-border terrorism as a prerequisite for better relations
• The summit provides a platform for multilateral engagement despite bilateral challenges