In Islamabad, Indian official flags regional connectivity, transit & trade

A senior Indian official visiting Islamabad has highlighted the topics of "connectivity, regional connectivity, transit and trade" that were discussed at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). This marks the first such visit by an Indian delegation to Pakistan since Operation Sindoor, a move that is notable given Pakistan's previous restrictions on India's access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.

Alok Dimri, the Indian national coordinator for the SCO, explained that the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation has journeyed from East Asia and Central Asia to reach its current location in Pakistan. Dimri, a senior official in India’s Ministry of External Affairs, led the Indian delegation at the SCO national coordinators’ meeting currently being held in Islamabad.

Dimri recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had suggested a civilizational dialogue among SCO member countries. It was agreed that such a dialogue would take place in New Delhi on November 20. Dimri emphasized the significance of this SCO meeting, taking place under Pakistan's presidency, as an opportunity to foster connectivity, regional connectivity, transit, and trade.

Dimri noted that English will now be used as the third official language in the SCO, following Russian and Chinese, which was adopted at the Bishkek summit in September. Earlier, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reiterated his country's commitment to an open, inclusive, and constructive SCO chairmanship, guided by the 'Shanghai Spirit' of mutual trust and mutual benefit. The SCO comprises Russia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, and China.