Russian, Chinese leaders set to attend SCO meeting in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: The Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Vladimirovich is scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on October 14 to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of States meeting.

He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation consisting of businessmen and ministers as part of his visit.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang is also expected to arrive in the capital, bringing with him a high-level delegation, as well.

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The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was founded in 2001 as a political, encomium and security alliance that includes eight member states: China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan and India.

The organisation aims to promote regional stability, economic cooperation and cultural exchange among its members.

With a combined population of over three billion people, the SCO represents a significant portion of the world’s landmass and economic potential.

The summit in Islamabad is expected to focus on several pressing issue, induing regional security, counter-terrorism efforts and economic cooperation among its member states.

The ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly in South Asia and Central Asia, are likely to be high on the agenda.

Discussions might also centre around improving trade relations and infrastructure development initiatives, particularly in the context of China’s multilbillion dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The meeting will also provide a platform for member state to address challenges posed by terrorism and extremism in the region, especially as Central and South Asia, both, border Afghanistan where Taliban are currently ruling, albeit as a universally unrecognised government.

Russia, in particular, aims to benefit most from the summit, as recent sanctions from the Western world has crippled its economy in response to the Ukraine-Russia War. The Russian President Vladimir Putin visited several countries himself earlier this year to establish military and economic agreements earlier this year.

Putin visited North Korea, Vietnam and Mongolia among other in a closely observed official visits.

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The summit is also extremely important for Islamabad as it will be one of first time such a high level international event will be held in the country reeling from two decades of terrorism and security risks.