The 2024 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit, hosted in Islamabad, marked a pivotal moment for regional trade, security, and diplomacy. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, with a focus on expanding China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), set the tone for an exciting future of Eurasian connectivity. Meanwhile, the summit also hinted at a potential diplomatic thaw between longtime rivals India and Pakistan, bringing a glimmer of hope to strained relations.
Shehbaz Sharif’s Bold Call for Expanding BRI
In his address at the SCO, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for expanding the Belt and Road Initiative, emphasizing that this global infrastructure project is crucial for enhancing trade cooperation and regional integration. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship BRI project, has already brought billions of dollars in investments to Pakistan. Sharif sees the expansion of BRI as a critical step toward connecting Eurasia through improved road, rail, and digital networks.
Sharif’s speech highlighted the importance of focusing on collective growth rather than viewing BRI through “a narrow political prism.” With 40% of the world’s population residing in SCO member countries, Sharif’s vision is clear: regional connectivity is the key to unlocking economic opportunities for all.
China’s Belt and Road Initiative, launched over a decade ago with an investment of $1 trillion, continues to reshape the trade landscape across Asia, Africa, and Europe. Despite Western criticism that BRI imposes unsustainable debt on developing nations, countries like Pakistan see it as a game-changer for regional infrastructure and growth.
China and Russia’s Response: Strengthening SCO’s Role
Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin were key attendees at the summit, alongside leaders from India, Iran, Kazakhstan, and other SCO members. Li reiterated China’s commitment to deepening cooperation and promoting the stability of the region. China, through its BRI investments and influence within the SCO, aims to foster regional peace and development, countering Western narratives of “protectionism” and unilateral sanctions.
Amid growing tensions between China and the West over tariffs and trade restrictions, the SCO emphasized its collective stance against such measures. In a joint statement, SCO leaders condemned protectionist policies that violate World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and hurt global trade, signaling the group’s desire to push back against Western economic dominance.
India and Pakistan: A Diplomatic Thaw in the Making?
A surprising highlight of the summit was the subtle, yet significant, thaw in India-Pakistan relations. Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, despite ruling out a formal bilateral meeting with Pakistani officials before the summit, found himself in a more conciliatory role during the event. In a carefully managed diplomatic move, Jaishankar and Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar sat together at the luncheon hosted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
This seating arrangement, along with toned-down rhetoric in speeches from both sides, marked a noticeable departure from the usually heated exchanges between the two neighbors. While terrorism and extremism remained key topics of discussion, Jaishankar avoided his usual hardline stance against Pakistan. The absence of media interactions from the Indian delegation further suggested a deliberate effort to maintain a positive atmosphere.
While both sides managed to lower the tension, officials on both ends remain cautious about any immediate breakthroughs. However, these small steps, including the historic handshakes between Jaishankar and Shehbaz Sharif, offer a glimmer of hope that the two nations may be inching toward improved relations—after years of diplomatic freeze.
Security and Afghanistan’s Role in Regional Stability
With Islamabad under strict security lockdown due to the recent surge in militant attacks, the issue of regional security loomed large over the summit. Sharif used his platform to call on the Taliban government in Afghanistan to take concrete measures to ensure that Afghan soil is not used for terrorism. The stability of Afghanistan is seen as crucial for regional connectivity and the success of initiatives like BRI.
Sharif’s call for the international community to support Afghanistan while also holding it accountable for regional security resonated with SCO member states. Despite Taliban denials, concerns persist over foreign militants using Afghan territory to target neighboring countries, including Pakistan.
The Road Ahead for the SCO and Regional Connectivity
The 2024 SCO Summit demonstrated the bloc’s growing influence in shaping regional trade, security, and political dynamics. As the West continues to impose sanctions on SCO members like Russia and Iran, the group’s focus on connectivity and cooperation through initiatives like BRI is poised to offer an alternative pathway for economic growth.
Pakistan’s call for BRI expansion, alongside China’s commitment to regional development, presents a clear vision for the future of Eurasian trade. Meanwhile, the subtle diplomatic shifts between India and Pakistan offer hope that this region, long plagued by conflict, might be on the cusp of a new chapter of cooperation and peace.
The world will be watching closely as the SCO moves forward, with eyes on how these emerging dynamics will shape not only the region but also global geopolitical and economic landscapes.
The SCO Summit 2024 left the world with much to ponder. From Shehbaz Sharif’s ambitious call for BRI expansion to the unexpected positive signals between India and Pakistan, the summit revealed a region full of potential, albeit with challenges. As BRI expands and regional connectivity deepens, the SCO continues to position itself as a critical player in shaping the future of Eurasian cooperation.
