India Invites All 10 SCO Members, Including Pakistan, to First Civilisational Dialogue Forum

India has invited all 10 member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), including Pakistan, to the first SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum, which will be held in New Delhi from November 20 to 22.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced the plan on October 20, while addressing the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. “At the end of this year, India will host the first SCO Civilisation Dialogue Forum,” he said. “We invite all SCO countries to participate in it.” The initiative aims to strengthen cultural ties and mutual understanding among members.

Singh stressed India’s long friendship with Tajikistan and its close bonds with Central Asia. He recalled that at the SCO Summit in Bishkek, leaders had reviewed the organisation’s 25 years and discussed its future.

He also recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for concrete steps on security, connectivity and opportunities across the SCO region, which he said remains relevant for the heads of government.

‘NO DOUBLE STANDARDS’ ON TERRORISM

Singh called terrorism one of the most serious threats to peace and development, and urged a collective and uncompromising approach. “Terrorism not only causes the loss of innocent lives but also disrupts investment and commerce,” he said. “It radicalises society and deprives our youth of the opportunities they deserve.”

“There should be no double standards in dealing with terrorism,” he added, “and no place for those who finance, support or provide safe havens to terrorists. The entire ecosystem of terrorism must be firmly and collectively dismantled.” Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar was present at the meeting.

PAKISTAN IN THE CHAIR

The invitation comes as Pakistan holds the SCO’s rotating chair. It took over the chairmanship of the Council of Heads of State for the 2026-2027 term on September 1, from Kyrgyzstan, after the summit in Bishkek.

THE SCO

The grouping has 10 members: Belarus, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India became a full member in 2017. Afghanistan and Mongolia are observers, and the SCO has 15 dialogue partners.

With inputs from ANI