Pakistan formally invites Indian PM Modi to SCO summit

Pakistan has formally invited all heads of government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to attend the upcoming Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting in Islamabad on October 15-16.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch confirmed the invitations during a weekly news briefing on Thursday.

The latest move comes despite strained ties between Pakistan and India, primarily due to the longstanding Kashmir dispute.

Addressing media, FO spox Baloch reiterated Pakistan’s stance that Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognised disputed territory, and any resolution must be made in accordance with the will of the people through a UN-supervised plebiscite.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif previously stated that Pakistan would invite PM Modi, as the host country cannot pick and choose which heads of state to invite.

Earlier this week, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had denied the media reports suggesting that PM Modi would not attend the upcoming SCO summit in Pakistan and urged media outlets to refrain from speculating on the matter.

The MEA’s statement emphasised India’s position that no official decision had been made regarding the prime minister’s participation in the SCO meeting in Pakistan.

In addition to the SCO summit, Baloch addressed other pressing issues, including the absence of trade relations with India and the refusal to engage in talks with the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Pakistan has called on Afghan authorities to take action against terror groups, including the TTP, which pose a threat to regional security.