India invites Pakistan to culture forum in New Delhi as SCO member nation

According to reports by Firstpost and The Times of India, India has sent an official invitation to Pakistan to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's (SCO) first member states cultural dialogue forum. This three-day event is scheduled to be held in New Delhi from 20 to 22 November. The main objective behind this important event is to bring SCO countries closer to each other through cultural exchange and mutual understanding.

Answering questions asked by journalists regarding this event, Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat stated that India has invited all member countries as well as partner countries for this forum. Speaking about Pakistan's participation, the minister clarified that Pakistan's civilization and cultural evolution are no different from ours. When asked if he is optimistic about Pakistan's presence, he replied that he wants to remain optimistic.

Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat further added that cultural dialogues may not provide an immediate solution to every dispute, but they can certainly prove helpful in building mutual trust between countries and civilizations, initiating dialogue, and establishing long-term lasting relations. Representatives from more than 25 countries are expected to participate in this meeting.

Earlier on 20 October, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced that India will host the first SCO member states culture forum before the end of the year 2026. According to available information, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is very likely to inaugurate this forum at the 16th-century historic fort, Purana Qila, in New Delhi. Representatives from various countries of the SCO bloc will gather at this meeting.

It is noteworthy that following the summit held in Bishkek recently, Pakistan assumed the rotational chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State for the 2026-2027 term starting from 1 September. A total of 10 member countries are included in the SCO bloc, including Belarus, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India obtained full membership of this organization in the year 2017. In addition, Afghanistan and Mongolia hold observer status, while the group also has 15 dialogue partners.

According to Wikipedia background, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is an Indian politician who has been serving as the 13th Culture Minister and 11th Tourism Minister since the year 2024. He is a Lok Sabha MP of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and represents Jodhpur in the Lok Sabha.