ISLAMABAD – Federal Minister Dr Musadik Malik will visit New Delhi for SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum in first visit by Pakistani federal minister to India in over three years amid strained ties.
The visit, scheduled for November 20–22, 2026, is expected to mark first trip to India by Pakistani federal minister in more than three years and the first high-level ministerial engagement on Indian soil since the military confrontation between Islamabad and New Delhi in May 2025.
Foreign Office announced that the government nominated Malik to represent Pakistan at 3-day gathering, which will bring together senior representatives from SCO countries to discuss cultural cooperation, civilisational dialogue and stronger people-to-people ties. The forum will take place at the historic Purana Qila in New Delhi, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to attend the inaugural ceremony on November 20.
The development follows earlier invitation extended by India to Pakistan’s Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, in October 2026. That invitation attracted attention because it came months after the May 2025 military confrontation, triggered by escalating tensions following the Pahalgam incident and India’s subsequent Operation Sindoor.
However, Islamabad has now decided to send Dr Musadik Malik instead, placing the climate change minister at the centre of a diplomatically significant visit. If the trip goes ahead, it will be the first visit by a Pakistani federal minister to India since May 2023, when then-Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari attended an SCO foreign ministers’ meeting in Goa.
Although the upcoming gathering is focused on cultural exchanges rather than bilateral negotiations, the presence of a Pakistani cabinet member in the Indian capital is likely to draw considerable diplomatic attention.
The event is being jointly organised by India’s Ministry of Culture and Ministry of External Affairs. The first-of-its-kind SCO forum will explore opportunities for cooperation in art, architecture, languages, literature, historical manuscripts and cultural heritage preservation.
Participants are also expected to discuss possible multinational nominations for UNESCO heritage recognition, alongside initiatives aimed at promoting mutual understanding among different civilisations. The idea for the forum was originally proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the SCO summit in Tianjin, China, in 2025.
India subsequently invited representatives from 25 countries, including SCO member states, observers and dialogue partners. By November 13, approximately 15 countries had reportedly confirmed their participation, including China, Kazakhstan, Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Bahrain, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Sri Lanka.
Shanghai spirit offers new avenues for Pakistan to advance regional cooperation
Foreign Office reiterated Islamabad’s commitment to promoting dialogue among civilisations, cultural harmony and stronger connections between people across the region. The ministry stressed that Pakistan would continue supporting cultural exchanges founded on mutual respect and understanding.
The participation comes at an important time for Islamabad, which holds the chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State for 2026–27 and is preparing to host the organisation’s summit in August 2027.
