India Invites Pakistan to SCO Cultural Summit in New Delhi

Public Lokpal
October 28, 2026

In a notable diplomatic development, India has extended an official invitation to Pakistan to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Civilisational Dialogue Forum in New Delhi.

Scheduled for November 20–22, 2026, the event marks the first formal outreach from New Delhi to Islamabad since Operation Sindoor.

The invitation was sent to Pakistan’s Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Aurungzeb Khan Khichi, as part of India's obligations as host to involve all ten SCO member nations.

Organized jointly by India’s Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Culture, the forum aims to promote Eurasian cultural ties, shared heritage, and civilisational exchange.

While Islamabad has yet to confirm Minister Khichi’s participation, the move follows a preparatory visit by an Indian delegation to Islamabad for the SCO National Coordinators' meeting.

Despite ongoing bilateral tensions over counter-terrorism priorities, India continues to fulfill its multilateral commitments within the SCO framework.