ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawja Asif will attend meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) defence ministers virtually while skipping the event in person at time when his counterparts from China and Russia will be in New Delhi this week. Two-day meeting of SCO defence ministers will kick off on April 27 in Indian capital. India had invited Pakistani defence minister as well as other SCO members for meeting. However, Asif will join meeting via video link, according to official sources.

India is currently president of SCO and is holding series of events this year that would culminate with summit in July. SCO comprises China, Russia, India, Pakistan and key Central Asian States. India and Pakistan were admitted full members of regional grouping in 2017. Despite tensions, both sides attended SCO events including joint counter-terrorism drills by member states.

But this is first time India is hosting SCO meetings and Pakistan has so far attended all meetings except one expert working group sitting where New Delhi withdrew invitation citing Islamabad’s attempt to use an “Incorrect map.”

Decision to send Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Goa in May was seen as surprising. Given current state of relationship, many were expecting either Pakistan would downgrade its participation or minister would attend conference virtually.

Bilawal’s participation will likely overshadow SCO meeting to be attended by Russian and Chinese Foreign Ministers. This would be first visit by Pakistan foreign minister to India since 2011. There is possibility of courtesy call between Bilawal and his Indian counterpart on sidelines of meeting.

Observers believe that visit of Bilawal would be challenge for both Pakistan and India given likely media hype accompanying his trip.

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 26 2023

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