Pakistan, China, Iran, and Russia foreign ministers to meet at SCO

The foreign ministers of Pakistan, China, Iran, and Russia are expected to meet next week during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting, which will take place in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

According to sources, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, will travel to Kyrgyzstan to participate in the high-level diplomatic gathering. The SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting is scheduled to be held on July 24 in Bishkek and will bring together senior representatives from the organization’s member states to discuss regional cooperation, security, economic ties, and preparations for the upcoming SCO Leaders’ Summit.

The meeting is considered an important milestone ahead of the annual summit of heads of government and state, as foreign ministers are responsible for finalizing the agenda and key issues that will be presented to national leaders.

Sources also indicated that India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, is expected to attend the meeting. His participation would place the foreign ministers of Pakistan and India at the same multilateral forum, although there has been no official confirmation of any bilateral meeting between the two sides.

The SCO meeting is expected to provide an opportunity for member countries to exchange views on major regional and international developments. Discussions are likely to focus on regional stability, counterterrorism cooperation, economic integration, trade, connectivity, energy collaboration, and strengthening diplomatic coordination among member states.

Pakistan, China, Russia, and Iran have increasingly emphasized cooperation through multilateral platforms such as the SCO, particularly on issues relating to regional peace, economic development, and security. The organization continues to serve as an important forum for dialogue among Eurasian countries, bringing together major regional powers to address shared challenges.

According to diplomatic sources, one of the main objectives of the foreign ministers’ meeting will be to finalize the agenda for the SCO Heads of State Summit, which is scheduled to be held in Bishkek toward the end of next month. The summit will bring together heads of state and government from member countries to review progress on existing initiatives and adopt new decisions aimed at strengthening cooperation across multiple sectors.

Pakistan will be represented at the summit by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is expected to attend the gathering alongside other regional leaders. The summit is anticipated to focus on expanding economic partnerships, enhancing regional connectivity, addressing security concerns, and promoting sustainable development among SCO member states.

Sources further said that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping are also expected to participate in the upcoming SCO summit, highlighting the significance of this year’s meeting. Their presence would underscore the strategic importance of the organization as a platform for regional dialogue and cooperation.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization has grown into one of the world’s largest regional organizations, with member states representing a significant share of the global population and economy. It provides a framework for cooperation in areas such as security, trade, infrastructure, transportation, technology, and cultural exchange.

The upcoming meetings in Bishkek are expected to strengthen coordination among member countries and lay the groundwork for decisions that will be formally adopted during the leaders’ summit. With participation from senior diplomats and heads of state from across Eurasia, the SCO gatherings are likely to play an important role in shaping regional diplomatic and economic cooperation in the months ahead.