Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warmly welcomed Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar along with other international leaders during a dinner marking the first day of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on Tuesday.

The event set a positive tone for discussions among member states, highlighting the importance of regional cooperation and diplomacy. Leaders gathered to share insights and foster relationships, underlining the significance of the SCO in promoting collaboration among its member countries.

Live footage showed Pakistan’s PM and Indian FM having a brief chat while shaking hands.

The 23rd summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) will commence on Tuesday in Islamabad. Preparations for the high-profile event, which has drawn leaders and high-ranking officials from across the region, have been completed. Islamabad has been specially decorated to welcome the guests.

The summit is expected to draw significant attention to regional economic cooperation. Among the attendees are the Prime Minister of China, the Foreign Minister of India, the First Vice President of Iran, and the Prime Ministers of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

High-level delegations from Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan, the SCO Secretary-General, and the Chairman of the SCO Business Council will also participate.

The summit’s agenda includes discussions on ongoing cooperation in various sectors, such as economy, trade, environment, and socio-cultural relations.

SCO summit: These roads will be closed in Islamabad and Rawalpindi from Oct 14 to 16

A comprehensive review of the organization’s performance will also be undertaken. Member states are expected to make key organizational decisions, including enhancing mutual cooperation and approving the SCO budget.

Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch emphasized that the SCO summit will focus on economic matters, trade, and connectivity. She highlighted the attendance of heads of state as a testament to the confidence in Pakistan’s organizational capabilities. The summit is anticipated to yield significant agreements and strengthen regional ties.

More to follow…