Every summit where heads of states congregate to conduct talks on pertinent issues  concerning their countries, gives birth to  some diplomatic manoeuvres  which are analysed in details. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit  held in  Kyrgyzstan  capital Bishkek  on June 13-14  was one such and interest was particularly  high since PM  Narendra Modi conducted  bilateral  discussions with heads of  various nations  of this eight-member economic and security block.  But all eyes were on Modi’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and also much focus  on the evolving diplomatic  scenario when India had declared beforehand  that there will be no such one-to-one talk with the Pakistani counterpart.

It requires  little  elaboration  why  the  continuing  Indo-Pak acrimony has  taken  a centre stage  in this  neutral multilateral meet. Pakistan hasfully closed its airspace since  February 26 after India’s  Balakot  airstrike. As a result of the this, foreign carriers using Indian airspace have been forced to incur heavy costs by taking   roundabout  routes   resulting in steep increase in airfares. And although  it granted a  special permission to Modi's flight to use its airspace for his Bishkek trip, India correctly rejected the ‘offer’ as a mark of protest for violation of basic  international protocols. Given  this prevailing  high degree of bitterness, India  stuck to its pre-determined stand  of boycotting Pakistan and the two leaders  even refrained themselves from exchanging courtesies. Having a solid history of relentlessly sponsoring and unleashing terrorism against India with no sign of restraint, Pakistan  has been doing things which are only adding to deterioration of its image in the world fora.

If sidelining Pakistan at this important meet can be construed as a diplomatic achievement for India, a more solid one is the fruitful discussions with the Chinese which has seemingly opened a new level  of bilateral understanding  with  emphasis ondeepening mutual trust, focusing on cooperation and improving dispute handling exercises. And if  the crux of Xi’s  comment  which  amplifies that  development  alone  can  be the bonding  force  between  these two nations is  to be believed, it can be said that it is not a cosmetic statement since economic and commercial engagement really constitutes a major component of mutual relations with bilateral trade crossing  $ 95 billion in 2018 and poised to cross $ 100 billion this year. Mention of  Pakistan was succinct yet sharp as Modi  reiterated once more that its ever-hostile neighbour  needs to create  a terror-free  atmosphere  for  subcontinent’s  peace  goals.

SCO summit’s outcomes will presumably determine to a great extent the future course of action to be pursued while dealing with these two neighbours. By and large it can be said that it has been a satisfying one for India.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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