SCO National Coordinators' Meeting Begins in Islamabad, Pakistan

A three-day meeting of the national coordinators of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is currently taking place in Islamabad, Pakistan. This gathering aims to set the stage for the forthcoming Council of Heads of State summit, scheduled for August 2027. India, a significant member of the SCO, is represented at the meeting by its National Coordinator Alok Dimri. The SCO consists of several countries including Russia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, and China.

The meeting is chaired by Pakistan’s National Coordinator Mohammad Faisal and will concentrate on enhancing collaboration within the organisation in preparation for the upcoming summit. It is notable that this Indian delegation's visit marks the first since a brief conflict occurred between India and Pakistan last year. Earlier, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar led a delegation to Islamabad for an SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in October 2024.

According to reports from the news agency PTI, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister has indicated that the meeting will cover a wide array of issues related to cooperation and coordination among SCO countries, amongst other agenda items.

Pakistan holds the chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State from 2026 to 2027. The country has set a theme for its chairmanship: "Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation, and Shared Prosperity." Under this theme, Pakistan is aiming to boost connectivity, foster innovation, enhance economic cooperation, and strengthen interpersonal relations among member nations.

The Foreign Office of Pakistan explained that it plans to transform the shared vision of SCO members into practical initiatives that would benefit all involved. Pakistan has expressed its intention to closely collaborate with other member states and the SCO Secretariat to further these initiatives and reinforce ongoing cooperation.

The Council of National Coordinators meeting serves as an initial platform for member states to align as Pakistan embarks on its responsibilities as chair of the SCO Council of Heads of State. It is also designed to prepare for numerous high-level engagements and activities during this period.

At the recent 26th SCO Summit held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged SCO nations to avoid 'double standards' and instead unite against terrorism. He highlighted India's vision for the SCO as one focused on security, connectivity, and opportunities, calling for the organisation to work towards achieving tangible outcomes for the inhabitants of its ten member countries.