In a first since Operation Sindoor, India invites Pakistan to SCO meet in Delhi
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Shubhajit Roy
India has invited Pakistan’s Heritage Minister to the SCO Civilisational Dialogue in New Delhi, marking the first such high-level diplomatic outreach since the 2025 border hostilities. The event, hosted by Prime Minister Modi, seeks to leverage cultural diplomacy among the 10-nation SCO bloc.
A Diplomatic Milestone: India Invites Pakistan to SCO Forum
In a significant development for regional diplomacy, India has extended an invitation to Pakistan’s National Heritage and Culture Minister, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, to attend the inaugural Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Civilisational Dialogue Forum. Scheduled for November 20-22 in New Delhi, the event represents a notable thaw in bilateral relations, marking the first such formal invitation to a senior Pakistani minister since the military hostilities associated with 'Operation Sindoor' in May 2025, which followed the tragic Pahalgam terror attack.
Contextualizing the SCO Diplomatic Channel
The SCO serves as a unique multilateral platform where India and Pakistan often navigate their complex relationship within a broader Eurasian framework. The hosting of this specific forum, proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the SCO leaders’ Summit in Tianjin last year, emphasizes India's commitment to using the SCO as a vehicle for cultural engagement. By inviting all 10 member states—including China, Russia, Iran, and Belarus—alongside 15 dialogue partners, India is positioning itself as a central hub for regional dialogue, focusing on shared heritage rather than purely geopolitical disputes.
The Significance of the Invitation
The invitation to Minister Khichi is particularly poignant given the recent history of diplomatic freezes. Since the May 2023 visit of then-Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto to Goa for the SCO Foreign Ministers' meeting, bilateral ministerial-level interactions have been virtually nonexistent. The move to resume this dialogue suggests a pragmatic shift, prioritizing the SCO mandate of fostering 'Civilisational' connections to mitigate the tensions that have defined the post-Pahalgam era.
Historical Precedent and Future Implications
Looking back, the evolution of India-Pakistan ties within the SCO has been erratic, often dictated by security spikes like the 2025 border escalations. However, the decision to hold this event at the historic 16th-century Purana Quila (Old Fort) in Delhi underscores a symbolic intent to focus on deep-rooted historical ties. This venue choice reflects a deliberate attempt to frame the conversation around long-term cultural continuity, potentially providing a 'soft power' buffer against the hard-power realities that have dominated the relationship for the past year.
Regional Stability and Multilateralism
For the SCO member states, the presence of both Indian and Pakistani ministers on the same platform is a critical barometer for regional stability. If the visit proceeds as planned, it could signal a managed de-escalation, allowing for communication channels to remain open despite profound underlying security concerns. The involvement of representatives from over 25 countries ensures that this dialogue is not merely a bilateral affair, but a multilateral exercise in statecraft that requires both nations to adhere to the decorum of the SCO forum.
Conclusion: Assessing the Path Forward
While this invitation is a positive development, it remains to be seen whether it will lead to a broader thaw in relations. The focus remains on the 'Civilisational' aspect of the forum, which acts as a non-contentious starting point for engagement. As the region watches the proceedings at the Purana Quila, the success of this dialogue will be measured by the ability of both nations to maintain diplomatic protocol in a volatile environment, potentially paving the way for more substantive, albeit cautious, future interactions.