Ishaq Dar Attends Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister is in Dushanbe to discuss regional trade and bilateral ties with fellow member nations.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in International Relations
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Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. The event brings together representatives from 10 member states to review regional cooperation and bilateral relations.
Why it matters
Pakistan is focusing on deepening trade, investment, and regional connectivity as it holds the organization's chairmanship for 2026-27. These diplomatic engagements are central to the nation's broader efforts to integrate its economy with neighboring states.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization consists of 10 member states following recent admissions in 2023 and 2024. Pakistan assumed the 2026-27 chairmanship of the group in September 2026 and is scheduled to host the next summit in Islamabad.
The players
Ishaq Dar
Ishaq Dar is the Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan who is representing the country at the summit.
Qohir Rasulzoda
Qohir Rasulzoda serves as the Prime Minister of Tajikistan.
Li Qiang
Li Qiang is the Prime Minister of China.
The details
Ishaq Dar held high-level meetings with Tajik Prime Minister Qohir Rasulzoda and Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang to review bilateral ties and regional developments. The summit serves as a platform for these leaders to coordinate on shared economic goals across the 10-member bloc.
Timeline
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization was founded in 2001.
Pakistan and India became full members in 2017.
Iran joined the organization in 2023.
Belarus joined the organization in 2024.
The summit in Dushanbe runs from October 19 to October 20, 2026.
Political Context
The summit marks a major milestone in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's 2026-27 chairmanship, which Pakistan assumed to drive regional trade. Critics often raise concerns about the internal geopolitical power dynamics between India and China within the same organization.
For the global business and policy community, this summit signals potential shifts in regional trade regulations and investment pathways. Increased connectivity could lead to more stable supply chains across the participating 10 member nations.
The takeaway
The summit highlights the continued expansion and regional influence of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Nations participating in such blocs often see shifts in bilateral trade priorities based on these high-level diplomatic agreements.
What happens next
Pakistan will host the next Council of Heads of State summit in Islamabad in 2027.
Further reading
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