Pakistan has publicly acknowledged India’s participation in a recent Shanghai Cooperation Organisation – Regional Anti‑Terrorist Structure (SCO‑RATS) meeting held in Islamabad, calling terrorism a “common challenge” for both nations. The statement marks a rare moment of diplomatic convergence between the two neighbours amid otherwise strained bilateral ties.
The 46th SCO‑RATS Council meeting, held on 14 September, brought together member states to coordinate efforts against terrorism, extremism and separatism. Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan confirmed that India’s chargé d’affaires attended the meeting, adding that Islamabad hopes such participation will continue because the broader objective is regional peace and security.
The spokesperson also addressed media reports claiming that Pakistani Sikh pilgrims were prevented from travelling to India for rituals at Gurdwara Sri Hemkund Sahib. He dismissed the reports as part of a “malicious media campaign”, clarifying that the pilgrims had obtained visas outside the 1974 bilateral protocol and should have coordinated with the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. Officials suggested that the pilgrims may still be allowed to travel via the Wagah Border.
The SCO‑RATS mechanism plays a central role in facilitating intelligence sharing, coordination, and joint counterterrorism strategies among member states. India has been a regular contributor, using the platform to strengthen multilateral cooperation even when bilateral channels remain limited.