The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Friday that Pakistan has extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit scheduled for October. This development marks a significant diplomatic moment, considering the complex and often strained relations between India and Pakistan.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “We have received an invitation from Pakistan for the SCO summit. We don’t have an update on that. We will let you know the situation later.” This brief statement indicates that while the invitation has been acknowledged, no further details have been provided about PM Modi’s potential attendance.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office also confirmed the invitation on Thursday. Spokesperson Mumtaz Baloch mentioned that the invitation had been extended to various heads of state, including India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Baloch noted that some countries have already confirmed their participation, though he did not specify which ones. He also addressed the current state of India-Pakistan relations, stating that Pakistan does not have direct bilateral trade with India, reflecting the ongoing tension between the two nations.

The SCO summit in Pakistan will be preceded by a series of ministerial meetings and sessions focusing on areas like financial, economic, socio-cultural, and humanitarian cooperation among member states. Despite these efforts at cooperation, the backdrop of India-Pakistan relations remains fraught with historical and ongoing issues, notably the Kashmir dispute and concerns about cross-border terrorism.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar provided a stark assessment of the situation during a book launch event in New Delhi. Jaishankar declared that “the era of uninterrupted dialogue with Pakistan is over” and emphasized that “actions have consequences.” His remarks underscored the current state of relations between the two countries and highlighted that while India is open to dialogue, it insists on a terror-free environment from Pakistan. Jaishankar's statement reflects India's stance that any positive or negative developments will prompt a corresponding reaction from the Indian side.

In the past, PM Modi’s participation in such international forums has been a subject of significant diplomatic considerations. He had previously skipped the SCO Summit held in Kazakhstan on July 3-4, opting instead for a trip to Russia, with External Affairs Minister Jaishankar leading the Indian delegation at that meeting. The absence of PM Modi from the Kazakhstan summit and the participation of other leaders, including Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and China's President Xi Jinping, illustrate the delicate balance of international relations and diplomatic strategy.

Given the current climate of strained relations and historical tensions, it remains uncertain whether PM Modi will accept the invitation to the SCO summit in Islamabad. The decision will likely be influenced by ongoing diplomatic engagements and the broader context of India-Pakistan relations. The international community will be watching closely to see how this situation unfolds and what impact it may have on regional diplomacy and cooperation.

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