Not PM Modi, But EAM S Jaishankar To Lead SCO Delegation To Pakistan; India Condemns Zakir Naik's 'Warm Welcome'

India has decided to continue its bitter relationship with Pakistan as Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's (SCO) Summit in Islamabad despite a formal invitation.

Instead, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will lead India's delegation to the SCO scheduled for 15 and 16 October, spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told media on Friday (4 October).

Jaiswal also condemned the 'warm welcome' of Zakir Naik in Pakistan. However, he added, "It is not surprising for us that a fugitive from Indian law has received a high-level welcome in Pakistan."

He called the neighbouring country's action disappointing and expressed it is not clear on what papers and passport the radical Islamist preacher went to Pakistan from Malaysia.

Naik was residing in Malaysia for several years but it is believed that when Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim came to meet PM Modi in August this year, India created pressure regarding Naik.

Observers say, only after this, Naik would have decided to leave Malaysia and go to Pakistan where he was warmly welcomed by the Shehbaz Sharif government.