India has invited Pakistan’s Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, to attend the inaugural SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum, scheduled for 20–22 November 2026 in New Delhi. The Ministry of External Affairs has said invitations have been extended to all 10 SCO member states, along with dialogue partners and an observer.
The invitation is drawing attention because it comes amid continuing tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad. It also marks a notable diplomatic development, as India and Pakistan have had limited direct engagement since their military confrontation in May 2025.
Indian officials have made it clear that the invitation is part of India’s responsibilities as host of the multilateral event. It should not be interpreted as a change in New Delhi’s position on bilateral issues, particularly cross-border terrorism.
Pakistan has yet to confirm whether Khichi will attend the forum.
For now, the development highlights the role regional organisations can play in keeping communication channels open, even when relations between member countries remain difficult. Whether the invitation leads to any wider diplomatic engagement will depend on Pakistan’s response and the decisions both governments make in the coming weeks.
INDIA INVITES ALL SCO MEMBERS TO THE DELHI FORUM
The SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum aims to encourage cultural exchange, explore shared heritage and strengthen people-to-people connections among countries across Eurasia.
India proposed the initiative at the SCO leaders’ summit in Tianjin, China, in September 2025. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh later announced India’s plans to host the event while addressing the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on 20 October 2026.
The forum is being organised jointly by India’s Ministry of Culture and Ministry of External Affairs. Representatives from more than 25 countries are expected to attend discussions covering cultural heritage, education, traditional knowledge and cultural diplomacy.
The historic Purana Qila in New Delhi is expected to serve as the venue. Organisers intend to showcase India’s cultural traditions while creating opportunities for participating countries to exchange ideas and experiences.
Pakistan has been invited as an SCO member, alongside the other countries in the grouping. Indian officials have stressed that the invitations follow the organisation’s multilateral framework rather than represent a separate diplomatic initiative directed at Islamabad.
INVITATION COMES AS INDIA–PAKISTAN TENSIONS CONTINUE
The timing of the invitation makes it particularly noteworthy.
Relations between India and Pakistan deteriorated sharply after the Pahalgam terror attack on 22 April 2025, in which 26 people were killed. India launched Operation Sindoor on 7 May, targeting what it described as terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The military confrontation ended with a ceasefire on 10 May.
Since then, New Delhi has maintained a firm position on cross-border terrorism, with no broad restoration of bilateral engagement announced.
The issue remained prominent during the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Dushanbe on 20 October 2026. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called for joint action against terrorism in remarks delivered in the presence of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar.
Those comments underscored that India’s security concerns remain central to its regional policy.
Against this backdrop, inviting Pakistan’s culture minister is best understood as engagement through an established multilateral organisation, rather than evidence of an emerging political reconciliation.
Pakistan’s response will determine whether the invitation results in a ministerial visit. Until then, the possibility of direct interaction remains open but unconfirmed.
SCO PROVIDES A PLATFORM FOR REGIONAL ENGAGEMENT
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation has 10 member states: India, Pakistan, China, Russia, Iran, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
The organisation provides a forum for cooperation on regional security, economic ties, connectivity and cultural exchange. Its members have different strategic priorities and, in some cases, difficult bilateral relationships. Even so, the SCO offers a shared platform for discussions on common regional interests.
India and Pakistan have continued to participate in SCO activities despite limited direct engagement. In October 2024, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar travelled to Islamabad for an SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting. Indian officials also participated in an SCO national coordinators’ meeting in Islamabad in September 2026.
Pakistan is scheduled to host the next SCO leaders’ summit in Islamabad in August 2027. Preparations for that gathering will provide another opportunity for the two countries to participate in the same regional framework.
However, participation in multilateral meetings does not automatically translate into improved bilateral relations. The SCO can facilitate contact and cooperation, but disagreements over terrorism, security and other political issues remain difficult to resolve.
WILL PAKISTAN ACCEPT THE INVITATION?
The immediate question is whether Pakistan will send its culture minister to New Delhi.
If Aurangzeb Khan Khichi attends, the visit would mark a notable moment in India–Pakistan engagement. The last visit by a Pakistani foreign minister to India was Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s participation in the SCO foreign ministers’ meeting in Goa in May 2023.
Khichi’s attendance could create opportunities for informal exchanges between officials. However, no bilateral meeting between Indian and Pakistani representatives has been confirmed, and neither government has announced an agreement to resume broader political dialogue.
The forum itself is focused on culture and civilisational links, with discussions expected to cover heritage, arts, literature, education and traditional knowledge rather than negotiations over security disputes.
Even so, the decision to attend—or decline—will attract attention. Participation could demonstrate that limited engagement remains possible through multilateral institutions. A decision not to attend would mean the forum proceeds without that particular ministerial interaction.
Neither outcome would, by itself, resolve the wider differences between the two countries.
RISKS AND KEY ISSUES TO WATCH
1. Diplomatic signals could be overstated
The invitation is part of a multilateral event. It should not be presented as a breakthrough in bilateral relations when neither government has announced such a change.
2. Terrorism remains a major obstacle
India’s concerns about cross-border terrorism continue to complicate relations. Any new security-related developments could overshadow the forum’s cultural agenda.
3. Pakistan’s attendance remains uncertain
Islamabad has not confirmed whether Khichi will travel to New Delhi. Until an official announcement is made, his participation should be treated as pending.
4. Domestic political pressures could limit engagement
Both governments face political sensitivities surrounding relations with the other country. These pressures could restrict the scope of any informal interaction.
5. Multilateral diplomacy has its limits
The SCO creates opportunities for contact, but resolving longstanding bilateral disputes would require separate political decisions and sustained engagement.
6. Regional strategic differences remain
SCO members have different relationships with China, Russia, Iran and other regional powers. Those competing interests will continue to influence cooperation within the organisation.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
Pakistan’s official response: Whether Islamabad confirms Khichi’s attendance at the November forum.
Final event arrangements: Whether India announces the confirmed programme, venue and participating delegations.
Possible diplomatic interactions: Whether Indian and Pakistani officials arrange any meetings alongside the event.
India’s position on terrorism: Whether New Delhi reiterates its security concerns during upcoming SCO engagements.
Cultural cooperation: Whether the forum produces practical initiatives involving education, heritage or traditional knowledge.
The 2027 SCO summit: How preparations for Pakistan’s hosting of the next leaders’ summit shape regional engagement.
FACT CHECK METER
98% — Confidence in core reporting
STATUS: MULTILATERAL INVITATION REPORTED; PAKISTAN’S ATTENDANCE NOT YET CONFIRMED
Confirmed details
India has invited SCO member states to the Civilisational Dialogue Forum in New Delhi.
The event is scheduled for 20–22 November 2026.
Pakistan’s National Heritage and Culture Minister, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, has been invited.
The initiative was proposed at the SCO leaders’ summit in Tianjin in September 2025.
India’s Ministry of Culture and Ministry of External Affairs are jointly organising the event.
Pakistan has not yet confirmed whether its minister will attend.
Important distinctions
The invitation does not, by itself, signal a reset in India–Pakistan relations.
The forum focuses on cultural and civilisational dialogue, not formal negotiations over security disputes.
No bilateral meeting between Indian and Pakistani leaders has been announced in connection with the event.
A Pakistani ministerial visit should not be treated as confirmed until attendance is officially established.
AWX VERDICT: India’s invitation to Pakistan highlights how multilateral institutions can maintain channels for regional engagement despite strained bilateral relations. The immediate development is diplomatic rather than a breakthrough in security or political ties. Its wider significance will depend on Pakistan’s response and whether further contact follows.
THE AWX BOTTOM LINE
India’s invitation to Pakistan for the SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum reflects the practical demands of regional diplomacy. As host, New Delhi has invited the organisation’s member states while maintaining its firm position on security concerns and cross-border terrorism.
For Pakistan, the invitation offers an opportunity to participate in a cultural gathering in India. For both countries, it creates the possibility of limited interaction within an established regional framework.
But the distinction is important: an invitation is not a reconciliation, and attendance would not automatically mean that bilateral talks are restarting.
The next key development will be Islamabad’s decision on whether to send its minister. Until then, the invitation represents a potential opening for regional engagement—not a breakthrough in India–Pakistan relations.
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