Will Pakistan invite PM Modi for SCO Summit next year? What Islamabad said

Pakistan’s foreign ministry confirmed on Thursday that it intends to extend invitations to the heads of state or government of all member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) for the upcoming summit in Islamabad next year. This includes Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, despite ongoing tensions between the two nations following a brief but intense border clash earlier this year. The announcement came in response to questions raised by journalists regarding whether Modi would be invited to the high-level meeting. According to the Pakistan Foreign Office, the invitation process is standard procedure for the host country, and Pakistan has a responsibility to ensure all members of the regional grouping are included. The statement emphasized that invitations would be extended to all heads of state or government who wish to participate at the highest level. The potential inclusion of Modi marks a notable development given the strained relations between India and Pakistan over recent months. The two countries have been locked in a tense standoff since May, when a series of cross-border skirmishes erupted along their disputed border in Kashmir. These incidents led to a sharp deterioration in diplomatic ties, with both nations accusing each other of inciting violence and failing to curb militant activities within their territories. The Pakistan Foreign Ministry did not confirm whether India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had sought a private meeting with his Pakistani counterpart during the recent ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) meeting in Manila. When asked about such a possibility, the ministry stated it was unaware of any formal request and declined to comment further on the matter. Relations between India and Pakistan have reached historic lows, with no sustained dialogue since the composite dialogue process was suspended in the wake of the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Those attacks, attributed to the Pakistan-based group Lashkar-e-Taiba, resulted in the deaths of 166 people and significantly damaged trust between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. Efforts to restart diplomatic engagement have repeatedly faltered due to a series of terrorist attacks allegedly linked to Pakistan-based groups. In response to one such incident, the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir last year, India imposed a range of punitive measures, including a four-day military operation targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, a critical agreement governing water-sharing between the two nations. Despite the current hostility, the prospect of Modi attending the SCO summit in Islamabad could signal a potential thaw in bilateral relations. However, the extent to which this would translate into improved cooperation remains uncertain, particularly given the deep-seated mistrust and unresolved disputes over territory and security. The SCO summit, scheduled for next year, will bring together leaders from eight member states, including China, Russia, Iran, and Afghanistan, among others. As the host nation, Pakistan holds considerable influence within the organization and is likely to leverage its position to foster regional stability and cooperation. The situation underscores the complex interplay of geopolitical interests in South Asia, where both India and Pakistan seek strategic partnerships to counterbalance each other’s influence. With the SCO serving as a platform for multilateral diplomacy, the inclusion of Modi in the summit discussions could pave the way for renewed dialogue, albeit cautiously. The exact nature of the invitation to Modi, including the timing and format of his participation, has yet to be finalized. Both countries are expected to continue monitoring developments closely, with diplomats and analysts watching for any signs of de-escalation or renewed engagement.