In a rare face-to-face encounter following last month’s brief but intense military standoff, the defence ministers of Pakistan and India are participating in a high-level summit under the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Qingdao, China. While no formal bilateral talks are scheduled, their joint presence has sparked speculation about potential backchannel or informal interactions.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh are attending the two-day SCO defence ministers’ conclave hosted by Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun. Although officials have downplayed the likelihood of a direct meeting, observers are closely watching for any signs of diplomatic thaw between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
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The summit, attended by defence leaders from China, Russia, Iran, and other regional countries, comes just days after the SCO national security advisers’ meeting, where Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to regional peace and stability. During bilateral discussions, China emphasized the importance of resisting foreign interference and enhancing collective security.
This is the first time Asif and Singh have appeared at the same forum since the recent military flare-up, dubbed Marka-e-Haq, heightening the significance of their presence. While formal engagement remains off the table for now, experts believe even an informal exchange could serve as a small but important step toward de-escalation.
The SCO continues to function as a crucial platform for fostering regional dialogue, particularly among countries with strained bilateral ties. Analysts argue that amid heightened tensions, symbolic encounters may lay the groundwork for more structured diplomacy in the future.
