Pakistan’s government has officially nominated its Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Musadik Masood Malik, to represent the country at the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Civilisational Dialogue. The forum is scheduled to be held in New Delhi from November 20 to 22, 2026.
According to an official statement issued by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government remains committed to promoting dialogue between civilisations. The statement emphasised Islamabad's intent to foster people-to-people contacts within the SCO framework, operating in a spirit of mutual respect. This upcoming trip represents a rare instance of high-level ministerial engagement between the two neighbours.
The announcement followed a confirmation from India's Ministry of External Affairs that invitations had been extended to several nations, including all 10 SCO member states. During a recent media briefing, Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that preparations for the event are underway, and India looks forward to hosting the participating delegations in the national capital.
The Civilisational Dialogue Forum is an Indian initiative designed to facilitate cultural exchange and strengthen ties across the Eurasian region. In addition to the full member states, India has invited dialogue partners and observer countries to participate in the event. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had previously announced the initiative while addressing the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, highlighting the objective of bolstering cultural understanding and mutual ties.
Key facts
- The SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum will take place in New Delhi from November 20 to 22, 2026.
- Pakistan has nominated Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Musadik Masood Malik, to attend.
- The forum will include representatives from all 10 SCO member states, as well as dialogue partners and observer countries.
- The 10 current SCO member states are Belarus, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
Why it matters
The event is significant as it provides a platform for member states to exchange perspectives on cultural engagement. The visit by a Pakistani cabinet minister is considered a notable diplomatic development given the historically rare nature of high-level ministerial visits between India and Pakistan.
Background
The SCO, which includes India as a full member since 2017, recently completed its 25-year journey. During the SCO Summit in Bishkek, leaders reviewed the organisation's collective achievements and discussed future cooperation regarding security and connectivity.
Source: Economic Times, Times of India
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