India joins SCO border security meeting in Pakistan, members review cross-border threats
India joins SCO border security meeting in Pakistan. (Image courtesy: Wikimedia)
New Delhi: India attended a meeting of border security authorities of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Islamabad, where member states reviewed the security situation along their international borders. The meeting, hosted by Pakistan, also focused on strengthening cooperation to address emerging cross-border challenges.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the 12th meeting of the heads of border services of the SCO member states’ competent authorities was held in Islamabad on July 17, 2026, chaired by Pakistan.
Border security officials from India, China, Belarus, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan attended the meeting. Representatives of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) also took part in the discussions.
The statement by Pakistan’s foreign ministry said, “The participants exchanged information and assessments regarding the situation along the international borders of the SCO Member States, as well as the trends and forecasts relating to its development.”
One of the key outcomes was the approval of the results of the joint border operation Solidarity-2025, a coordinated exercise involving the border services of SCO member states. Participants also approved the roadmap for Solidarity-2026, which will continue the collaborative border security effort.
Member states also approved the work plan for the Group of Experts of the Border Services of the Competent Authorities of the SCO Member States for 2027. They further backed Tajikistan’s proposal to host the joint border operation Solidarity-2027, and discussed the venue and timing of the next meeting of the heads of border services.
Pakistan’s statement said participants noted that exchanging views and developing common positions on new border challenges and threats would strengthen cooperation among the member states’ border services, while enhancing security and mutual trust along their shared borders.
India did not disclose the level of its representation at the meeting. However, The Tribune, citing sources, reported that a senior official from the Indian high commission in Islamabad attended the event.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had earlier travelled to Islamabad on October 15–16, 2024, to attend the 23rd meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government.
