Indian PM not to attend SCO meeting in Astana

ISLAMABAD: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced not to attend next week’s Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) heads of government meeting in Kazakhstan capital Astana.

The abrupt announcement has been made by the spokesman of Indian External Affairs ministry in New Delhi. Modi had earlier announced that he would be attending the meeting. It had raised the hope that Astana would become rendezvous for his meeting with his counterpart from Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif and it would help in bringing a thaw between Pakistan and India.

The security personnel of Indian prime minister had already reached Astana but the Indian government has suddenly changed its mind.

According to the Indian media, the chill between China and India has forced Modi to stay away from the two-day summit beginning on 3rd of July of the organisation that was jointly created by Beijing and Moscow. Independent observers are of the view that India has opted to stay away from the Astana meeting to maintain its leaning towards Washington.

The Indian prime minister had assured Kazakhstan president through phone call early this week about his schedule to attend the summit.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is traveling to Astana tomorrow (Monday). Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar will also company the prime minister. India will be represented by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.