India Invites Pakistan, 9 Other SCO Nations for First Civilisational Dialogue Forum in Delhi: Key Details on Regional Ties and Foreign Policy
India invites Pakistan and nine other SCO nations to Delhi for the SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum, focusing on shared heritage and regional ties.
India Invites Pakistan and Nine Other SCO Nations for First Civilisational Dialogue Forum in Delhi
India has invited Pakistan and the other nine member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to participate in the organisation’s first-ever Civilisational Dialogue Forum in New Delhi. Scheduled for November 20–22, 2026, the upcoming Delhi conference aims to strengthen cultural connections, encourage mutual understanding and promote dialogue among participating countries. The invitation comes at a time when Pakistan India relations remain strained following the military confrontation in May 2025. [Source: DD India; Hindustan Times]
SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum: Date and Key Details
The inaugural SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum is scheduled to take place in New Delhi from November 20 to 22. The initiative is being organised jointly by India’s Ministry of Culture and Ministry of External Affairs, bringing cultural diplomacy into the wider framework of regional cooperation.
Read more: India Calls for UNSC Reforms, Says Veto Power Must Not Serve Narrow Political Expediency
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the event, with the historic Purana Qila being reported as the proposed venue. Representatives from more than 25 countries, including SCO member states and partner countries, are expected to participate.
The forum is expected to focus on shared heritage, art, literature, traditions and historical connections between participating nations. It will also provide opportunities to explore cooperation in cultural preservation, education and traditional knowledge systems. [Source: NDTV]
Why Has India Invited Pakistan to the Delhi Conference?
Pakistan’s inclusion has attracted considerable attention because diplomatic relations between New Delhi and Islamabad remain difficult. India has invited Pakistan’s Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, to attend the gathering. However, Pakistan has not yet confirmed who will represent the country at the event.
If the minister attends, it would mark the first visit by a Pakistani minister to India since the SCO foreign ministers’ meeting in Goa in May 2023, which was attended by Pakistan’s then foreign minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
Officials have clarified that the invitation is part of India’s multilateral engagement with all SCO members rather than a change in its bilateral policy towards Pakistan. Therefore, the invitation should not automatically be interpreted as a breakthrough in diplomatic relations.
The development highlights how countries can continue participating in regional organisations even when their bilateral relationships face serious challenges. [Source: Hindustan Times; The Indian Express]
What Is the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation?
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is a regional organisation that brings together countries across Asia and Eurasia to cooperate on security, economic development and other shared interests.
Its ten member states are India, Pakistan, China, Russia, Belarus, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan became full members in 2017, expanding the organisation’s regional significance.
For India, the SCO provides an important platform for engaging with Central Asian countries, maintaining regional connectivity and discussing common security concerns. The organisation also creates opportunities for cooperation in trade, cultural exchange and people-to-people engagement.
The proposed civilisational dialogue adds another dimension to this relationship by emphasising historical connections and cultural understanding alongside political and security discussions.
India’s Foreign Policy and the Importance of Cultural Diplomacy
The SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum reflects India’s broader effort to use cultural diplomacy as part of its foreign policy. Shared traditions, historical exchanges and cultural heritage can create opportunities for communication between countries whose political interests do not always align.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed the initiative during the SCO leaders’ summit in Tianjin, China, in September 2025. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh subsequently announced India’s plan to host the inaugural forum while addressing the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on October 20, 2026. [Source: The Indian Express; DD India]
The initiative also complements India’s engagement with Central Asian countries, with which it shares historical and cultural connections. Discussions on heritage, literature, traditional knowledge and educational cooperation could help participating nations identify areas for future collaboration.
However, cultural dialogue alone cannot resolve complicated political disputes. Its importance lies in creating another channel for communication without replacing existing diplomatic positions.
Pakistan India Relations: What Happens Next?
The invitation comes against the backdrop of continuing tensions following Operation Sindoor in May 2025, launched after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. India’s position on terrorism remains a central factor in its dealings with Pakistan.
During the SCO meeting in Dushanbe, Rajnath Singh called for collective action against terrorism and stressed that countries should not apply double standards when addressing the threat. This demonstrates that India’s participation in multilateral initiatives does not mean its security concerns have disappeared. [Source: DD India; Hindustan Times]
Whether Pakistan accepts the invitation and who ultimately attends remain important unanswered questions. The response will help determine the level of participation at the upcoming event, although attendance alone would not establish a change in bilateral relations.
Conclusion
The first SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum represents an important cultural diplomacy initiative for India. By inviting Pakistan alongside the other nine SCO nations, New Delhi is extending its multilateral engagement while maintaining a separate approach to bilateral security concerns.
The November conference could create opportunities to discuss shared heritage, strengthen cultural connections and encourage cooperation among participating countries. Its broader significance will depend on the quality of discussions, the level of international participation and whether the initiative leads to meaningful cultural and educational exchanges.
We’re now on WhatsApp. Click to join.
Like this post?
Register at One World News to never miss out on videos, celeb interviews, and best reads.
