Islamabad Prepares to Extend SCO Summit Invitation to Modi

Bangla Press Desk:   Pakistan on Friday indicated that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be invited to Islamabad for the 2027 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, saying all member states, including India, will receive invitations as per the grouping's procedures.

During a media briefing, Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson said invitations for the summit would be extended to all SCO heads of state and government, which means India would also be invited as a member of the organization, India Today reported.

"The invitation is an obligation of the host country and will be issued according to the established SCO protocol," the spokesperson said.Responding to a separate query on a possible meeting between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistan's Foreign Minister on the sidelines of the ASEAN meetings in Manila, the spokesperson said Islamabad was not aware of any such request from New Delhi.

Pakistan is scheduled to host the SCO Summit in Islamabad in 2027 as part of the organisation's rotating presidency and hosting arrangements. The SCO Summit is a major annual international forum.

It comprises 10 member countries: China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran and Belarus. Established in Beijing on 15 June 2001, the organisation's primary objective is to promote peace, stability, and economic prosperity in the Eurasian region.