India Sends Delegation to SCO Meeting in Islamabad

India is participating in a three-day meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of National Coordinators being held in Islamabad from September 28 to 30. India's delegation is reportedly being led by Joint Secretary Alok Dimri.

Pakistan's First Major SCO Engagement

The meeting is the first major engagement under Pakistan's 2026–27 chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State. National coordinators from member states and representatives of the SCO Secretariat are attending, discussing the programme of activities under Pakistan's chairmanship, preparations for upcoming meetings, and other organisational matters.

Road to the 2027 Summit

The process will also contribute to preparations for the SCO Council of Heads of State summit, which Pakistan is scheduled to host in Islamabad in August 2027. Pakistan formally assumed the chairmanship following the Council of Heads of State meeting in Bishkek earlier this month.

Pakistan's Chairmanship Priorities

Pakistan has adopted the theme "Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation and Shared Prosperity" for its chairmanship. According to the Foreign Office, Islamabad intends to focus on greater connectivity, innovation, economic cooperation, and people-to-people contacts during its term.

A Continuing Pattern

India and Pakistan have continued to participate in SCO-related meetings despite strained bilateral relations. An Indian delegation also attended SCO meetings in Islamabad earlier this year, including the July meeting of the heads of border services. The SCO, established in 2001, includes 10 member states, with India and Pakistan becoming full members in 2017.