Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's first Civilisational Dialogue Forum at Purana Quila, bringing over 25 countries to the 16th-century fort from November 20 to 22. The event, proposed by Modi at the 2025 Tianjin summit, centers on cultural diplomacy and heritage linkages.
Diplomatic sources confirm Pakistan’s Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Aurungzeb Khan Khichi, is on the guest list. His attendance would signal a notable thaw, marking the first time a Pakistani minister has set foot in India since the 2023 SCO foreign ministers’ meeting in Goa.
The Ministry of Culture and Ministry of External Affairs are jointly managing the logistics. Discussions will cover traditional knowledge systems, education, and collaborative heritage initiatives, extending beyond the core 10 SCO members to include observer and dialogue partners.
Bilateral ties remain strained, yet engagement continues within the SCO structure. In September 2026, Indian SCO National Coordinator Alok Dimri traveled to Islamabad to prepare for Pakistan’s upcoming presidency and the leaders’ summit slated for August 2027. The forum serves as a critical prelude to these high-level diplomatic maneuvers.