Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has dismissed claims by Pakistan regarding the Indus Valley civilisation, noting that the neighbouring country only came into existence approximately 80 years ago. Addressing reporters on Friday, the Minister stated that if a nation attempts to claim such historical heritage, the logical question remains whether that state even existed during the period of that civilisation.
The Minister’s remarks coincided with preparations for the first SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum, which is scheduled to take place in New Delhi from November 20 to 22. While 15 countries, including Iran, China, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Turkiye, have confirmed their attendance, Pakistan has not yet responded to the invitation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the inaugural ceremony of the event, which will be held at the historic Purana Qila complex.
Highlighting the historical significance of the chosen venue, the Minister noted that archaeological excavations at the site have uncovered evidence of early settlements dating back to approximately 1200 BCE. The forum will focus on four primary themes: art and architecture; civilisational and cultural expressions; language, literature, and manuscript traditions; and monastic trails.
Minister Shekhawat expressed hope that Pakistan would participate, arguing that regardless of strategic or bilateral tensions, nations should strive to reinforce cultural relations to improve dialogue and coordination. He noted that despite the partition in 1947, the cultural evolution shared between the two countries remains rooted in the same history, suggesting there should be no reason for division on this particular subject.
Key facts
- The SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum will take place in New Delhi from November 20 to 22.
- 15 nations, including Saudi Arabia, China, and the UAE, have confirmed their participation.
- Excavations at the Purana Qila site show evidence of settlements dating to approximately 1200 BCE.
- The forum themes include art, architecture, literature, language, and civilisational expressions.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed the forum at the 2025 SCO Summit in Tianjin.
Why it matters
The invitation represents the first time New Delhi has extended such an overture to Pakistan following 'Operation Sindoor' last year. The government views the dialogue as a platform to showcase India’s 5,000-year-old civilisational journey while fostering better regional coordination.
Background
The Civilisational Dialogue Forum was proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 2025 SCO Summit held in Tianjin, subsequently receiving endorsement from participating member states.
Source: Times of India
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