Pakistan Hosts SCO Meeting as India Joins Amid Tensions

The Government of Pakistan is hosting a three-day meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of National Coordinators in Islamabad from September 28 to 30, 2026. Chaired by Pakistan's National Coordinator, the session aims to approve a calendar of activities under Pakistan's 2026-27 chairmanship, which culminates in the Council of Heads of State summit in August 2027.

Under the theme "Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation and Shared Prosperity," Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has proposed initiatives focusing on artificial intelligence, energy development, and poverty reduction. The meeting includes representatives from member states and the SCO Secretariat to align regional priorities.

India is participating in the proceedings, with national coordinator Alok Dimri attending the session. While New Delhi continues to engage with the SCO to maintain ties with regional powers, bilateral relations remain strained. India maintains that connectivity initiatives must respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all member states.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's attendance at the 2027 summit in Islamabad remains uncertain. The Indian government has stated that any such visit depends on Pakistan taking tangible and irreversible action against cross-border terrorism, following years of diplomatic tension and recent military friction after a terrorist attack in Pahalgam.