HOSTING the 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting was more than just a diplomatic achievement for Pakistan; it provided the government with an opportunity to show the world the crises it had faced over the past few years had been contained.

In recent years, Pakistan has dealt with multiple challenges, including political instability, economic difficulties and security concerns, which led to negative perceptions that harmed its diplomatic standing and investor confidence. Successfully organising such a complex diplomatic event amid ongoing internal challenges, therefore, helped negate those impressions.

The conference took place under tight security due to ongoing threats and political unrest. Though the city’s deserted streets during the security lockdown may not have been particularly reassuring for the visiting delegates, they still left with the sense that, despite its challenges, Pakistan remains functional, resilient, and open for business with the world.

The conference, moreover, presented Pakistan as a country not only actively engaged in global dialogues, but also capable of leading initiatives with regional significance. It also showcased the country as a reliable partner for foreign investors at a time when Islamabad is desperately seeking foreign investment to revive its economy.

Observers believe hosting summit enhanced country’s diplomatic standing, showed that it was ‘open for business’ with the world

Pakistan’s presidency of the SCO Council of Heads of Government highlighted its role as an active player in regional geopolitics. The presence of eight prime ministers from member countries underscored Pakistan’s growing importance within the organisation and the region.

The high-level participation signalled that member states view Pakistan as a crucial partner in addressing regional challenges and advancing cooperative efforts, reinforcing the seriousness of its diplomatic outreach.

“Diplomacy is a process, not an event. Hosting the SCO summit has shown that Pakistan is an important multilateral player and has enhanced its diplomatic standing with member states,” remarked Dr. Maleeha Lodhi, a former ambassador and columnist, while commenting on the importance of Pakistan hosting the event.

However, she cautioned against overemphasizing the significance of hosting the event, as the rotation of SCO summits follows an alphabetical order.

Big guns from Beijing, Moscow

Beyond enhancing perceptions of Pakistan and underscoring its regional significance, the event served to revitalise Pakistan’s bilateral relations.

For instance, Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s visit to Pakistan marked the first visit by a Chinese prime minister in 11 years, despite the two countries being long-standing regional allies, particularly in their collaboration on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Following the Oct 6 attack in Karachi that killed two Chinese workers, Premier Li had ample reason to pull out and send a lower-level representative. However, his country being one of the founding members of the SCO, he attended the event and also engaged in bilateral talks, reaffirming Beijing’s commitment to its relationship with Pakistan.

Similarly, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin’s visit was significant as it was the first by a Russian prime minister since Mikhail Fradkov’s trip in 2007. Mishustin’s large delegation and his bilateral meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister underscored Moscow’s growing interest in deepening ties with Pakistan, particularly in the areas of trade and energy exports.

Pakistan-Russia relations have warmed considerably over recent years, evolving from a period of limited engagement during the Cold War to a partnership grounded in mutual respect and shared strategic interests, particularly in Afghanistan’s stability, counterterrorism, and energy cooperation. This growing relationship has been further solidified by joint military exercises and trade agreements, especially in the energy sector.

The India factor

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s participation, standing in for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was also notable as he was the most senior Indian official to visit Pakistan since 2016. Although both sides had made it clear in advance that no bilateral engagements would take place, Pakistan’s hosting of the event remained professional.

Unlike the 2023 Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting in Goa, Pakistan did not allow its rivalry with India to overshadow the event, despite Jaishankar making subtle jabs at the hosts during his speech at the plenary session.

Pakistan’s leadership, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, extended courtesies and exchanged pleasantries with Jaishankar, which he later acknowledged in a post on X upon his return to India. Some in the Pakistani media interpreted this hospitality as a potential icebreaker, though the Indian Ministry of External Affairs clarified that Jaishankar only exchanged pleasantries in informal settings, with no substantive discussions on cricket or bilateral relations.

Former Pakistani envoy Abdul Basit remarked that the SCO still struggles to assert its relevance in a shifting global order, and that India’s evolving strategic partnership with the US could become a major impediment to the organization’s activities.

Talking to Dawn, an SCO official noted that amid geopolitical uncertainties, member states are keen to strengthen cooperation in security matters. In his address, PM Sharif called on the member states to pressure the Taliban administration to prevent Afghan territory from being used by groups involved in cross-border terrorism.

Former Special Envoy for Afghanistan Asif Durrani added that Afghanistan’s immediate neighbours and Russia are key players in counterterrorism efforts, suggesting that India, due to its alleged support for the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), should also be engaged in these discussions.

Published in Dawn, October 18th, 2024