NEW DELHI: India has invited Pakistan’s National Heritage and Culture Minister, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Civilisational Dialogue Forum in New Delhi next month. The invitation comes amid strained relations following the military confrontation between the two countries in May 2025, according to published media reports.

The forum is scheduled for November 20–22, 2026. Pakistan has yet to publicly confirm whether Khichi or another representative will attend the gathering. The invitation marks a new point of contact between the two countries within the SCO framework, although it does not by itself indicate a broader change in bilateral relations.

India Invites SCO Member States

India is preparing to host the Civilisational Dialogue Forum as part of its engagement with the SCO, a regional organisation whose membership includes India, Pakistan, China, Russia, Iran, Belarus and Central Asian states.

The forum is intended to promote dialogue on cultural heritage, historical connections and civilisational traditions. India’s Ministry of Culture is working with the Ministry of External Affairs on the event, according to published reports.

The initiative was proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the SCO summit in Tianjin, China, in September 2025. India subsequently advanced plans to host the gathering as part of its engagement with the organisation.

Relations Remain Strained After Operation Sindoor

India–Pakistan relations deteriorated following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 people. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, targeting what the Indian government described as terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The ensuing military confrontation further heightened tensions between the neighbours.

Despite these differences, both countries remain members of the SCO and continue to participate in its multilateral activities. Such participation provides an institutional channel for engagement without necessarily resolving bilateral disputes.

Pakistan’s Participation Yet to Be Confirmed

The immediate question is whether Islamabad will accept the invitation and send its culture minister or another official to New Delhi. As of October 29, 2026, Pakistan’s participation has not been confirmed in the reports cited for this article.

If a Pakistani minister attends, the forum could provide an opportunity for official contact in a multilateral setting. Any broader diplomatic significance, however, would depend on the level of representation, the discussions held and subsequent official statements from both governments.

What the Invitation Means for Regional Diplomacy

The invitation highlights the distinction between bilateral relations and multilateral engagement. India and Pakistan continue to face significant political and security differences, while both remain involved in the SCO’s regional framework.

The November forum is focused on cultural and civilisational dialogue, rather than formal negotiations over security disputes. It should therefore be viewed as an opportunity for engagement within the organisation, not as confirmation of a diplomatic reset between New Delhi and Islamabad.