EAM Jaishankar to lead SCO summit while India condemns Zakir Naik’s reception in Pakistan

In a significant departure from prior expectations, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will head India’s delegation at the forthcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting in Pakistan, rather than Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The meeting occurs amid escalating tensions and intricate geopolitical circumstances in South Asia.

The upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, set for October 15-16, 2024, holds considerable importance as it convenes leaders from major regional powers, notably China and Russia. Pakistan has invited Prime Minister Modi to attend; however, India’s response has been measured, reflecting the persistent tensions between the two countries.

Traditionally, high-level attendance at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is viewed as a sign of goodwill and a chance for constructive dialogue. Nevertheless, Modi’s potential absence may indicate a strategic distancing from Pakistan, given the unresolved issues and security apprehensions. If Jaishankar were to represent India instead of Modi, it might be interpreted as a signal that India is not prioritizing engagement with Pakistan.

The Indian government has not definitively excluded the possibility of Modi’s attendance but has stressed that no formal decision has been reached regarding his participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has called on media organizations to avoid speculation concerning the Prime Minister’s absence, suggesting that discussions about India’s representation at the summit are still in progress. This uncertainty allows for various interpretations of India’s diplomatic stance towards Pakistan.

Earlier, India chose not to participate in the SAARC summit that was set to take place in November 2016 in Pakistan, attributing its absence to escalating cross-border terrorism and security issues that arose after the Uri attack, which resulted in the deaths of 18 Indian soldiers. This decision prompted a boycott from several other member countries, such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Afghanistan, which ultimately led to the cancellation of the summit.

At the same time, India has strongly disapproved of the warm reception given to Zakir Naik during his recent trip to Pakistan ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Naik, a contentious Islamic preacher known for his divisive rhetoric, faces accusations of promoting extremism and is sought by Indian authorities for alleged money laundering and hate speech. His presence in Pakistan has raised significant concerns in India, leading officials to reiterate their apprehensions regarding his influence and activities.

The Indian government has labelled Naik as a “hate preacher,” underscoring that his ideologies contradict India’s secular principles. This rebuke is part of broader initiatives aimed at combating radicalization and safeguarding national security.

In a related matter, it has been reported that Zakir Naik’s account on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has been restricted in India. This measure was implemented following a legal request from Indian authorities, reflecting ongoing efforts to limit Naik’s influence within the nation. The notification on his account indicates that it has been “withheld in IN” due to these legal circumstances.

This action is part of a wider strategy by the Indian government to oversee and regulate content that may incite violence or propagate extremist ideologies ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The suspension of Naik’s account serves as a reminder of the fragile equilibrium between freedom of expression and national security concerns within India’s digital environment.

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