India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif set to meet at the SCO Summit today.
India and Pakistan are set to share the same room for the first time since Operation Sindoor, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China, in 2025.
The tense atmosphere between the two nations stemmed from the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025, which resulted in the tragic death of 26 civilians. The event led to Prime Minister Modi's sharpened rhetoric against Pakistan, including a warning against nuclear blackmail and threats of future responses on India's own terms in his Independence Day speech.
In response to the Pahalgam attack, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025. This precision military operation targeted nine terror camps and facilities of Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen across Pakistani Punjab and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Prime Minister Modi framed the operation as proof of India's zero tolerance towards cross-border terrorism.
The operation, although resulting in a ceasefire on May 10 after a brief exchange of retaliatory fire, has undeniably reset global politics. The political fallout of Operation Sindoor has left Sharif's government struggling to project strength, with the operation's targets including the JeM stronghold in Bahawalpur, the LeT hub at Muridke, and training camps in Muzaffarabad and Kotli.
While a formal Modi-Sharif bilateral meeting appears unlikely at the SCO Summit, the two leaders will still be in the same room. Prime Minister Modi has praised the armed forces for their decisive responses in dealing with cross-border terrorism, creating a "new normal."
Meanwhile, Pakistan's financial crisis has forced it into repeated IMF programs, further weakening Sharif's position. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has denied any role of the US in the ceasefire following Operation Sindoor.
Prime Minister Modi has also criticized the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it unjust, and pledged that rivers originating in India must serve Indian farmers. Modi has further warned that India will respond with precision on its own terms if Pakistan fails.
As the SCO Summit approaches, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and other senior Chinese leaders to reaffirm the "All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership." This meeting could potentially provide a platform for dialogue between India and Pakistan, although no official bilateral talks are planned.
The SCO Summit promises to be a significant event, with the potential for diplomatic implications for both India and Pakistan. The tense atmosphere between the two nations will undoubtedly be a topic of discussion, with Operation Sindoor serving as a stark reminder of the ongoing tension.
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