Invitation Extended for November Forum
India has formally invited Pakistan to participate in the first SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum, which is scheduled to take place in Delhi from November 20 to 22. The invitation was specifically extended to Pakistan’s culture minister, according to reports published by The Times of India on October 28, 2026.
Pakistan remains a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and India proposed the forum as an event for all member states. Consequently, every member, including Pakistan, received an invitation. As of late October 2026, Islamabad has not confirmed whether it will send its culture minister to the capital.
Relations Remain Suspended Since Pahalgam
The diplomatic outreach occurs against a backdrop of severely strained bilateral relations. India and Pakistan have maintained frozen ties since the Pahalgam attack. During this period, there has been no trade between the two nations, no water-sharing agreements are in effect, and there have been no sporting exchanges or "sporting handshakes" between officials.
India has characterized the current invitation as a form of controlled engagement rather than a thaw in relations or a reward for any prior military actions. The forum takes place approximately 18 months after Operation Sindoor, a period during which diplomatic channels have remained largely closed.
Delhi’s Stance on Terror and Diplomacy
Indian officials maintain that terrorism and normal bilateral relations cannot coexist. This position was reinforced by a visit from an Indian coordinator to Islamabad last September. According to Delhi, that visit was strictly multilateral in nature and did not constitute a bilateral diplomatic opening.
The SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum represents India’s first proposal for such an event within the organization. The invitation underscores India’s approach of engaging through multilateral frameworks while maintaining strict conditions on direct bilateral normalization.
Implications for Islamabad
The decision rests with Pakistan to determine whether to accept the invitation or decline it. Observers note that the move presents a choice between participating in a multilateral cultural dialogue or maintaining a stance of selective outrage. The outcome will signal how Islamabad navigates its SCO membership obligations while managing its frozen relationship with New Delhi.