Modi’s potential SCO summit absence dims hope for India-Pakistan thaw
While Pakistan has extended an invitation to Prime Minister Modi, India’s response has been lukewarm, suggesting a potential boycott
The likelihood of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting Islamabad for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit October 15-16, seems to be low, which has dampened any hopes for an improvement in relations, between India and Pakistan.
On August 30, India’s Ministry of External Affairs, confirmed the invitation from Pakistan, but had not said if it would accept.
Maleeha Lodhi, a political scientist and former Pakistani diplomat, told This Week in Asia that New Delhi’s lukewarm response suggests Modi would not make the trip, adding that although there was a need for re-engagement between the nuclear powers, the Indian administration seems undecided on resuming formal dialogue with Pakistan without discussions on Kashmir.
“Therefore the situation will continue in a no-war, no peace mode but with the risk of tensions flaring up anytime,” she said.
Founded in Shanghai in 2001, the SCO includes Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and Iran among its member countries.
The Himalayan region of Kashmir has been a source of conflict between India and Pakistan since 1947, leading to two wars between the neighbours. The relationship worsened in 2019 when India revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, which Pakistan claims violates a United Nations resolution.
