India, Pak mum on Modi, Sharif meet at SCO sidelines
ESTABLISHED IN 2001, SCO AIMS TO TACKLE TERRORISM AND PROMOTE POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL COOPERATION IN THE REGION
NEWDELHI:The bitterness between India and Pakistan is threatening to cast a shadow on the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit to be hosted by Kazakhstan on June 8 and 9.
Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif are likely to attend the two-day meeting in Astana in which India and Pakistan are to be inducted as the seventh and eighth members of the grouping led by China and Russia. It will be the first time in several months that Modi and Sharif will be at the same event. However, both sides are silent on a possible meeting.
It was exactly two years ago that the two leaders met in Ufa, Russia, on the sidelines of an SCO summit, setting out a road map to normalise ties. However, contrary to expectations, the ties have worsened over time.
“The Pakistan Army is playing a more emphatic role in its India policy. Everything possible is being done to spoil the ties on various fronts. As of now, there is no request from Pakistan for any meeting,” an Indian official said.
Pakistan too said India has not sought a meeting. For that to happen, the two prime ministers will have to show political will.
Cross-border terrorism, ceasefire violations along the LoC and the death sentence awarded to former naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav will make it difficult for Modi to make a move to ease tensions.
On the other hand, an assertive army and next year’s election do not leave Sharif much flexibility in dealing with India.
Established in 2001, SCO aims to tackle terrorism and promote political, economic and cultural cooperation in the region. Once India and Pakistan are inducted, the Eurasian bloc will account for 40% of the world’s population.
Some member countries are worried about ties between the two neighbours hampering SCO.
The forum calls for greater coordination among the armies and intelligence agencies. Given the mistrust, it is to be seen how India and Pakistan will come together under the SCO banner.