Pakistan on Thursday formally confirmed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited to the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting being held in Islamabad in mid-October.
Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, at her weekly press briefing, said the country had sent invitations to the heads of countries to participate in the meeting, Pakistani media reported
"An invitation has also been sent to the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi," she said, adding that some countries had already confirmed their participation in the meeting.
"It will be informed in due course which country has confirmed," Baloch added.
Pakistan is set to host the SCO heads of government meeting on October 15-16. The event will be preceded by a ministerial meeting and several rounds of senior officials’ meetings focused on financial, economic, socio-cultural, and humanitarian cooperation among the SCO member states.
Analysts see the invitation as a "protocol" as PM Modi is unlikely to accept the invitation as relations between the two neighbouring countries have been tense since August 5, 2019, when India abrogated the Constitution's Article 370, changing the status of Jammu and Kashmir.
It is expected that PM Modi may depute a ministerial delegation to represent India as the SCO meeting does not require heads of state to participate. In the past as well, SCO CHG meetings have seen India represented by ministers and the same pattern is this time as well.
PM Modi had not also attended the SCO's 24th annual summit of heads of state held in Kazakhstan on July 3-4 this year and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had represented India in Astana.
Pakistani analysts say they do not expect that PM Modi will come to Pakistan for the meeting.
"Extending invitations to PM Modi and all other member states is a compulsive protocol any host country follows. Pakistan has done the same. I do not see this as a political stunt. However, I do not see PM Modi landing in Islamabad," political analyst Kamran Yousaf said.
Last year, Pakistan's then-Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari visited India for the SCO Foreign Ministers' meeting.
Cong seeks discussion in LS, dignified treatment for deported Indians by US
The Indian nationals who were deported from the US for illegally arriving in the country on Wednesday claimed that they were sent back on the military aircraft with their hands and legs cuffed throughout the journey.
J&K mysterious deaths: All pesticide, insecticide shops sealed in Rajouri district
All pesticide and insecticide shops have been sealed by authorities in Jammu and Kashmir’s (J&K) Rajouri district as part of preventive measures taken after 17 ‘mysterious deaths’ took place in Budhal village, officials said on Thursday.
Pariksha Pe Charcha: PM Modi to engage with students; Sadguru, Mary Kom, Deepika to join discussion
The much-anticipated eighth edition of 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' (PPC) is set to return in an expanded format, featuring an array of distinguished experts and guests, alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Maha Kumbh: 25,000 tribal devotees to take holy dip at Triveni Sangam
In a historic event, around 25,000 devotees from tribal communities across the country will converge at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj to take a holy dip at the Sangam and pledge to safeguard their religion, culture, and traditions.
White House dials down Trump's plan to 'take over' Gaza
The White House said on Wednesday that President Donald Trump had not committed any funds for his proposal for the US to take over Gaza or deploy troops there for that purpose.
After US, Israel withdraws participation from UN Human Rights Council
A day after US President Donald Trump announced America's withdrawal from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Israel's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gideon Sa'ar, has said that Israel would also join the US in its decision not to participate in the UNHRC.
Bangladesh founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's house vandalised, set on fire by mob in Dhaka
A large group of protesters on Wednesday vandalised and set on fire Bangladesh founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's residence in Dhaka during a live online address of his daughter and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
UN chief speaks out against 'ethnic cleansing’ in context of Trump plan to clear Gaza
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has spoken out against "ethnic cleansing" in Gaza after US President Donald Trump suggested ousting Palestinians living there to neighbouring countries.