We remain engaged in SCO format: India ahead of EAM's Islamabad visit

India remains actively engaged in various mechanisms of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), New Delhi said on Tuesday, hours before External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar lands in Pakistan to attend a conclave of the influential regional grouping.

It will be the first visit by an Indian foreign minister in nearly a decade that comes amid continuing chill in India-Pakistan relations.

Pakistan is hosting the two-day SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) summit meeting on October 15 and 16.

The SCO CHG meeting is held annually and focuses on the trade and economic agenda of the Organisation," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

"External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will represent India at the meeting. India remains actively engaged in the SCO format, including various mechanisms and initiatives within the SCO framework," it said in a brief statement in New Delhi.

Shortly after he arrives in Islamabad, Jaishankar is likely to attend a banquet reception to be hos