Indian delegation participates in the meeting as well despite freeze in relations
Pakistan chaired the first meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) Council of National Coordinators (CNC) in Islamabad on September 28. 2026. Photo: MOFA
Pakistan chaired the first meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) Council of National Coordinators (CNC) in Islamabad on Monday, which saw participation from the Indian side as well, despite the freeze in bilateral relations between the two countries.
According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office on X, the meeting discussed a wide range of matters related to SCO activities and cooperation among member states.
The participants also deliberated on the programme of events planned to be held during Pakistan’s chairmanship of the organisation, the ministry said.
Pakistan assumed the chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State for the 2026-27 period, during which it is scheduled to host and oversee a series of meetings and activities under the regional grouping.
Under Pakistan’s chairmanship of the SCO CHS (2026-27), first meeting of the Council of National Coordinators was held in Islamabad today. The participants discussed a wide range of issues pertaining to SCO activities and coopetation, including the programme of events to be held… pic.twitter.com/MOKTfRRlCC
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) September 28, 2026
India’s SCO national coordinator Alok Dimri leads the Indian delegation to Islamabad, which is expected to stay in the country till the end of the month.
Dr Mohammad Faisal, a senior Pakistani diplomat who served as Pakistan’s high commissioner to the United Kingdom, is representing Pakistan in the meeting.
The CNC is responsible for coordinating and managing the SCO’s regular activities, including the necessary preparations for the meetings of the Council of Heads of State, the Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) and the Council of Ministers for Foreign Affairs. National focal points are appointed by each Member State in accordance with its internal rules and procedures. It is provisioned to meet at least three times a year.
The FO said a day earlier that the meeting would mark an “important initial engagement” under Pakistan’s chairmanship and would contribute to preparations for “various high-level engagements and activities” to be undertaken during the chairmanship, including the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting to be hosted by Pakistan in August 2027.
Pakistan, which holds the chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State for 2026-27, would seek to advance the organisation’s objectives under the theme “Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation and Shared Prosperity”, according to the FO.
“In this regard, Pakistan’s Chairmanship would focus on promoting greater connectivity, fostering innovation, enhancing economic cooperation, and strengthening people-to-people contacts,” it had said.
The FO said the aim would be to “translate the shared vision of Member States into practical and mutually beneficial initiatives”.
“Pakistan would work closely with all Member States and the SCO Secretariat to advance these priorities and further strengthen cooperation within the SCO,” it had said.
The CNC meeting would therefore provide an early forum for coordination among member states as Pakistan began its programme of activities as chair of the SCO Council of Heads of State, the FO said.
According to the statement, the meeting would contribute to preparations for various high-level engagements and activities during Pakistan’s chairmanship, including the August 2027 meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State.
