First since Operation Sindoor: Pakistani minister set to land in Delhi for SCO Civilisational Dialogue
The Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the decision in an official statement, saying Malik would attend the forum on behalf of the government.
Published: Nov 14, 2026, 18:41 IST
| Updated: Nov 14, 2026, 18:53 IST
The Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the decision in an official statement, saying Malik would attend the forum on behalf of the government.
Pakistan will take part in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Civilisational Dialogue Forum in New Delhi from November 20 to 22, with Islamabad nominating Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Musadik Masood Malik to represent the country.
The Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the decision in an official statement, saying Malik would attend the forum on behalf of the government.
“The Government of Pakistan has nominated Dr. Musadik Masood Malik, Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, to represent Pakistan at the SCO Civilisational Dialogue to be held in New Delhi from 20 to 22 November 2026,” the statement said.
The forum will bring together representatives from SCO member states to exchange views on cultural understanding and civilisational engagement. Pakistan said it remained committed to “promoting dialogue among civilisations and fostering people-to-people contacts within the SCO framework in a spirit of mutual respect”.
The visit is a notable diplomatic development, given that high-level ministerial exchanges between India and Pakistan remain rare.
India invites all SCO member states
Pakistan’s announcement comes a day after India confirmed that invitations had been extended to several countries, including all 10 SCO member states, for the New Delhi forum.
Responding to a question from ANI during a media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said preparations were under way to host the event.
“Several countries, including the SCO members, have been invited to this dialogue, which is to take place in New Delhi, and that is where it is. We look forward to hosting this Civilizational Dialogue,” Jaiswal said.
Along with full members, India has invited the organisation’s observer states and dialogue partners to participate.
The inaugural SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum is an Indian initiative aimed at encouraging cultural exchange and strengthening people-to-people ties across Eurasia.
Rajnath Singh announced India’s initiative in October
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced India’s plan to host the first SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum on October 20, inviting all member countries to participate.
Addressing the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Singh spoke of India’s longstanding friendship with Tajikistan and its close relations with Central Asian countries.
He also referred to the organisation’s 25-year journey, noting that leaders had reviewed its achievements and discussed its future at the SCO Summit in Bishkek.
“India gives great importance to our long-standing friendship with Tajikistan and our bond with Central Asian countries. During the SCO Summit in Bishkek, our leaders had outlined the 25 years of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. That occasion was about reviewing our shared journey as well as deliberating on the path to the future,” Singh said.
Recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for concrete measures to strengthen security, connectivity and opportunities across the SCO region, the Defence Minister said the message remained particularly relevant to the Council of Heads of Government.
Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar was also present at the meeting.
Pakistan holds SCO chairmanship for 2026-27
The developments come after Pakistan formally assumed the rotating chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State for the 2026-27 term on September 1, 2026. It took over the position from Kyrgyzstan following the SCO summit in Bishkek.
The organisation has 10 member states: Belarus, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
India became a full member in 2017. Afghanistan and Mongolia hold observer status, while the grouping also has 15 dialogue partners.
(with ANI inputs)
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