What Happened: Pakistan invites Indian Prime Minister Modi to the SCO summit in Islamabad, marking the first such invitation in eight years despite ongoing tensions.
What you need to know: Pakistan has officially invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, set for mid-October in Islamabad, marking the first such invitation in eight years. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended the invite for the October 15-16, 2024 meeting.
More: Despite ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, the involvement of other significant nations in the summit could pressure Modi to attend, either in person or virtually. The SCO, established in 2001, is a key Eurasian alliance focusing on political, economic, and security cooperation. Its members include India, Pakistan, and Iran, while Afghanistan, Belarus, and Mongolia are observers.
Also: The organization plays a pivotal role in addressing regional security and boosting economic ties, including through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Last year, Pakistan participated in all SCO meetings hosted by India, either in person or virtually, with India opting to hold the previous summit online due to tensions with China and Pakistan