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India Invites Pakistan's Culture Minister to SCO Meeting in Delhi

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India invites Pakistan's culture minister to the SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum in New Delhi on November 20–21, 2026.

India Invites Pakistani Minister to SCO Civilisational Dialogue in New Delhi

NEW DELHI, October 28, 2026: India has invited Pakistan's National Heritage and Culture Minister, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's (SCO) Civilisational Dialogue Forum scheduled to take place in New Delhi on November 20–21, according to a report by The Indian Express.

The invitation marks a diplomatic development between the two countries, whose bilateral relations have remained strained following security-related tensions and military hostilities in 2025.

The forum is intended to provide a platform for cultural engagement and discussions on the shared heritage of civilisations across Eurasia.

Why the invitation matters

According to The Indian Express, the invitation was extended as part of India's responsibility to invite representatives from all SCO member countries to the multilateral event.

The proposed forum focuses on civilisational links, cultural traditions, art, literature and people-to-people engagement among participating countries.

India's decision to invite a senior Pakistani minister is notable given the difficult state of bilateral relations. However, an invitation to a multilateral event should not automatically be interpreted as a change in India's wider security or foreign policy toward Pakistan.

The diplomatic significance will depend partly on whether Pakistan confirms participation and the level of representation it ultimately sends.

What is the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation?

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is a regional grouping that brings together countries across Asia and Eurasia. Its activities cover political dialogue, security cooperation, economic engagement and cultural exchanges.

The grouping provides a multilateral setting in which member countries can participate in discussions even when their bilateral relationships are complicated.

For India, participation in SCO activities offers an opportunity to engage with regional partners on issues that extend beyond any single bilateral relationship.

Background to India-Pakistan relations

Relations between India and Pakistan have experienced repeated periods of tension over security concerns, terrorism allegations and other longstanding disputes.

The military hostilities following the Pahalgam terror attack and India's Operation Sindoor in May 2025 further complicated relations.

Nevertheless, the two countries remain members of the SCO and may be required to engage through its institutional meetings and other multilateral mechanisms.

The invitation to the November forum is therefore a development within the SCO framework rather than confirmation of a separate bilateral agreement.

Attention will now turn to Pakistan's response and the level of representation it chooses to send to New Delhi.

If Pakistani officials attend, the forum could provide an opportunity for formal multilateral engagement and cultural discussions. Any broader diplomatic implications would require further developments and official confirmation.

For now, the invitation is a confirmed development reported by The Indian Express, while Pakistan's participation should be treated as unconfirmed unless an official announcement establishes otherwise.

By News National Editorial Team

Source: The Indian Express, report published October 27, 2026.

Original report: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-invites-pakistan-culture-minister-aurangzeb-khan-khichi-sco-civilisational-dialogue-forum-new-delhi-10939359/lite/

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