Welcome to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Pakistan
Pakistan is hosting a two-day gathering of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) leaders, a security grouping challenging the Western-led global order. The SCO includes China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran, and other countries, representing 40% of the world’s population and 30% of its GDP.
Despite diverse political systems and border disputes among members, the SCO summit in Pakistan underscores its diplomatic standing. The event aims to highlight Pakistan’s active role in multilateral forums and address rising security fears, especially after a recent attack on Chinese engineers in Karachi.
With high-level attendance, including Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s rare visit to Pakistan in 11 years, the summit emphasizes the strategic importance of the SCO and deepening bilateral ties. However, domestic concerns, such as political unrest and potential protests, may overshadow the summit’s sidelines.
The presence of India’s External Affairs Minister at the summit signals a rare opportunity for indirect engagement between India and Pakistan, focusing on SCO-related matters rather than bilateral relations.