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India’s troubled relationship with Pakistan has led to strained diplomatic ties, and the likelihood of a ministerial-level visit to Islamabad is under question, especially in light of recent terror attacks in Jammu. However, the SCO remains one of the few multilateral forums where India and Pakistan have managed to cooperate despite longstanding hostilities. The CHG is typically attended by ministers rather than heads of state, and last year, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar represented India at the CHG meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Pakistan's foreign minister at the time, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, visited India in 2022 for an SCO foreign ministers’ meeting. This level of participation has been enabled by the SCO Charter, which prohibits member-states from raising bilateral disputes during the organization’s meetings.
The invitation to the CHG meeting comes at a sensitive time for India-Pakistan relations. Tensions have persisted since India’s decision to abrogate Article 370 in 2019, which stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its special status, a move Pakistan has repeatedly condemned. Pakistan continues to push for India to reverse the decision, but India’s stance is firm—there is nothing left to discuss with Pakistan on Kashmir except Pakistan’s illegal occupation of parts of the region.
The Indian government has yet to decide whether it will accept Pakistan’s invitation to the CHG meeting. Recent terror incidents, such as the attacks in Jammu, may further deter India from sending any high-profile representation to Pakistan. In July, during his address on Kargil Vijay Diwas, Modi accused Pakistan of not learning from history and attempting to stay relevant through terrorism and proxy warfare.
While the possibility of a rapprochement between India and Pakistan remains distant, the SCO provides a crucial platform for limited cooperation. Given its importance for regional security, trade, and connectivity, especially in light of Central Asia’s growing significance, India’s engagement with the SCO, despite its reservations, is likely to continue. As both nations navigate their participation in the organization, the October CHG meeting will be another test of how they balance cooperation within multilateral settings amid continued bilateral hostilities.
Furthermore, India's commitment to the SCO also underscores its broader geopolitical strategy. As a full member of this Eurasian group, New Delhi is navigating a complex landscape—balancing its relationships with both Russia and China, while avoiding any alignment with anti-Western sentiment that some SCO initiatives might suggest. The decision on whether to send a representative will likely weigh these competing priorities carefully.
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