Islamabad – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi are expected to face each other during the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organization Heads of State Council (HSC) meeting scheduled in Tianjin China from 31st August to 1st September. Diplomatic sources confirmed that both Pakistani and Indian prime ministers have been invited by SCO Secretariat. Chinese President Xi Jinping will inaugurate the two-day summit.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) has 10 member states, Belarus, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Originally formed in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan later it expanded to 10 members.
Sources said Chinese President Xi Jinping would host banquet in honour of the delegates where both prime ministers of Pakistan and India are expected to face each other. Another occasion is group photograph during which there is strong possibility that both leaders may face each other.
Islamabad hosted SCO HSC in October 2024 which was attended by Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on behalf of Indian prime minister. India and Pakistan joined SCO in 2017, and Iran joined in 2023. Belarus became the tenth member in 2024. The SCO also has observer and dialogue partner states.
It would be Indian prime minister’s first visit to China in seven years. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will stay in Beijing till 3rd September and will attend grand military parade in Beijing
China will hold a grand military parade in Beijing on Sept 3 to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory against Japanese aggression and fascism, aiming to demonstrate China’s firm resolve to uphold the achievements of World War II victory and international fairness and justice, several world leaders have been invited in the parade.