Pakistan Reaches Out: Modi Invited to SCO Meeting in Islamabad

In a surprise overture, Pakistan has invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the big gathering in Islamabad. This is a meeting for a grouping known as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. It is scheduled to take place on October 15 and 16 of this year. This news emanated from Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, who speaks on behalf of Pakistan’s Foreign Office.

What is the SCO?

SCO is the organization of the countries working together in various fields. Their discussions range from talking about money, business, and how to uplift their nationals in their respective countries. Pakistan is part of this-so is India. Other countries like China and Russia are also members.

The Big Meeting

Pakistan is all set to host a very key SCO meeting. It’s for the heads of government, meaning the topmost leadership of each country. Prior to the main meeting, smaller meetings will be held, pertaining to ministers and other officials; these will discuss money, business, and ways to help people in SCO countries.

Who’s Coming?

Pakistan has sent out invitations to all countries of SCO, and they want top-structure tendencies to come. Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that some countries have already said a yes, they’ll come. But she didn’t say which. We will have to wait to find out who really comes.

The Big Question: Will Modi Come?

The most interesting part of this news is that Pakistan invited the top leader of India: Narendra Modi. India and Pakistan do not get along very well often, so to say this is an invitation of some kind of a big deal. Just because Modi was invited does not mean he will come. We would have to wait and see what India decides.

Pakistan and India: It’s Complicated

One interesting thing Baloch said is about how Pakistan and India cooperate. According to her, at the moment, Pakistan is not engaging in direct trade with India. That really proves that despite all the invitations to meetings and stuff, things are not as smooth between these two countries.

Other Important Meetings

Pakistan is engaged in other meetings as well. Their foreign secretary has gone to attend a large meeting in Cameroon. It’s a meeting for the foreign ministers of a lot of different countries. During this meeting, Pakistan will be speaking about a number of major issues, including the problems that Gaza and Kashmir are facing, as well as terrorism concerns.

A Step Forward?

Last year, Pakistan’s former foreign minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, visited India to participate in an SCO meeting. It was big news because no Pakistani foreign minister had gone to India in almost 12 years. Bhutto-Zardari later said good it was that he went.

What Does This Mean?

Interesting – the invite to Modi. This may be one of those tiny steps toward a more talking Pakistan and India. But, of course, one would not say this for definite yet. The two countries have issues that go way back in time. It cannot be fixed with just one invitation. Yet, it may be a start, we shall wait and see the other developments.