Indian official raises connectivity and trade issues in Islamabad
An Indian official has raised issues related to regional connectivity, transit facilities and trade during meetings in Islamabad, marking the first visit by an Indian delegation to Pakistan since Operation Sindoor. Alok Dimri, India's national coordinator for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and a senior official with the rank of Additional Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, led the Indian delegation at the SCO national coordinators' meeting in Islamabad this week.
Dimri, who has served as India's Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic and been posted in China, flagged the issues of "connectivity, regional connectivity, transit and trade" being discussed at the SCO forum. Speaking to Pakistan's public broadcaster PTV on the sidelines of the meeting, he noted that this is significant given Islamabad has blocked access to Afghanistan and Central Asia for India. He highlighted that the SCO's rotational presidency has now moved from East Asia and Central Asia to the region, representing an important opportunity for cooperation among member states.
Dimri recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had proposed a civilisational dialogue among SCO member countries, which member states agreed to hold in New Delhi on November 20. He emphasized the SCO's agenda for "well-being, prosperity and welfare," underscoring India's commitment to advancing regional cooperation through improved transport links and commercial engagement on the SCO platform.
