SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum: Pakistan sends Minister Musadik Malik to Delhi event

Pakistan said on Saturday that Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik will join the SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum in New Delhi. India is hosting the meeting at the historic Purana Qila from November 20-22. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend the inaugural session on November 20.

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The announcement followed comments in Delhi by Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. On Friday, Shekhawat said Pakistan was expected to attend the event. Shekhawat also said China, Kazakhstan, Iran, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan were among 15 countries confirming participation.

SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum invitation to Pakistan

India said on October 28 that all SCO members, including Pakistan, were invited as per practice. The invitation was notable after the May 7-10 military hostilities linked to Operation Sindoor. Pakistan’s Foreign Office said the forum will bring SCO representatives to discuss civilisational dialogue and cultural understanding.

The Pakistan Foreign Office said Islamabad supports continued cultural engagement in the SCO. "The government of Pakistan remains committed to promoting dialogue among civilisations and fostering people-to-people contacts within the SCO framework in a spirit of mutual respect,\" the statement said. Pakistan’s statement did not outline any separate bilateral meetings.

India-Pakistan ties and SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum context

Relations have remained tense since the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. India later launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The military confrontation lasted four days and ended on May 10 after an understanding between military officials.

India has repeatedly raised cross-border terrorism at SCO meetings. Indian officials have argued the grouping should take a united stand against terrorism and its financing. India has also said such steps must avoid double standards. These issues form part of the wider political backdrop to the Delhi forum.

Shekhawat remarks on SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum aims

Shekhawat told reporters, \"Pakistans civilisational and cultural evolution is not different from us.It is less than 80 years only since they separated from us referring to the 1947 Partition of the Indian subcontinent; their evolution has happened parallelly with us. Therefore, there doesnt seem to be a possibility that they will have any differences over this cultural civilisation subject, the Union minister said.\"

Shekhawat also said the forum would look beyond politics and security. He said there are geopolitical, strategic and bilateral issues between countries. He added that the meeting would discuss ways to reinforce cultural relations and improve dialogue and harmony between nations and their people.

SCO background and SCO dialogue partner countries

The SCO began at a Shanghai summit in 2001. Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan were the founding states. India and Pakistan became permanent members in 2017. Iran joined the SCO in 2023.

According to the SCO website, its goals include mutual trust and good-neighbourliness. The site also lists peace, security and regional stability as priorities. Apart from members, the SCO includes observer states and dialogue partners. It lists 15 dialogue partners, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Sri Lanka.

In October 2024, Islamabad hosted the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting. Minister for External Affairs S Jaishan­kar attended on behalf of his prime minister. India also sent SCO National Coordinator Alok Dimri to Islamabad last month for a preparatory meeting for the next SCO Council of Heads of State.

Musadik Malik is seen as a key government voice in Pakistan and often appears on talk shows. Pakistan’s decision to send Musadik Malik to Delhi is being viewed as a signal of engagement. The participation comes as Pakistan is due to host the SCO summit in Islamabad next year, amid strained regional ties.

With inputs from PTI