Modi’s potential SCO summit absence dims hope for India-Pakistan thaw

The likelihood of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting Islamabad for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit October 15-16, seems to be low, which has dampened any hopes for an improvement in relations, between India and Pakistan.

On August 30, India’s Ministry of External Affairs, confirmed the invitation from Pakistan, but had not said if it would accept.

Maleeha Lodhi, a political scientist and former Pakistani diplomat, told This Week in Asia that New Delhi’s lukewarm response suggests Modi would not make the trip, adding that although there was a need for re-engagement between the nuclear powers, the Indian administration seems undecided on resuming formal dialogue with Pakistan without discussions on Kashmir.

“Therefore the situation will continue in a no-war, no peace mode but with the risk of tensions flaring up anytime,” she said.

Founded in Shanghai in 2001, the SCO includes Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and Iran among its member countries.