Tue Jul 15 19:36:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the provided text and a rewritten news article based on it, geared towards an Indian audience.
**Summary:**
Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in Beijing and Tianjin. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong ties with China, expressing a commitment to deepening their strategic partnership. He also met with the Foreign Ministers of Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus, discussing enhanced cooperation and regional stability. Notably, the discussions with Iran included the “recent Israeli aggression,” with Dar emphasizing Pakistan’s support for Iran and the need for diplomatic solutions.
**News Article:**
**Islamabad Doubles Down on China Ties, Courts Russia Amidst Regional Tensions at SCO Meeting**
*New Delhi, July 16, 2025* – Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar used the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Beijing and Tianjin to solidify existing alliances and explore new partnerships. Dar, who also holds the title of Deputy Prime Minister, met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, conveying warm greetings and reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to its “iron-clad” relationship with China. Both nations pledged to deepen their strategic cooperation and work towards shared regional objectives.
Beyond China, Dar engaged in a series of bilateral meetings with fellow SCO member states. A key focus was Pakistan’s effort to foster closer ties with Russia, where both sides agreed to bolster cooperation in trade, energy, agriculture, and defence. An invitation for Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to visit Pakistan was also extended.
The meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi took on particular significance, considering the recent escalation of tensions in the region. Dar voiced Pakistan’s “unwavering solidarity” with Iran following the “recent Israeli aggression” and stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy as the only viable path to de-escalation and lasting peace. This statement is likely to be viewed closely in New Delhi, given India’s complex relationship with both Iran and Israel.
Dar also met with his counterparts from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Belarus discussing mutual cooperations.
The SCO, which includes India as a member, is currently under China’s rotating presidency. This summit provides a platform for member states to navigate complex geopolitical dynamics and explore opportunities for collaboration. While the focus of Pakistan’s engagement appears to be strengthening existing relationships and forging new ones, India will be carefully observing the shifting dynamics within the SCO framework, particularly concerning regional security and stability.