India Invites Pakistan for 1st Time since Operation Sindoor, along with 10 SCO Members

Synopsis

India has officially invited all 10 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation members, including Pakistan, to the inaugural Civilisational Dialogue Forum in New Delhi from November 20 to 22, 2026. The multilateral meeting marks the first high-level outreach to Islamabad since military friction erupted during Operation Sindoor in 2025.

India’s Invitations

India has issued formal invitations to all 10 full member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). The invite includes Pakistan too, to attend the first SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum in New Delhi.

The Civilisational Dialogue Forum is scheduled for November 20 to 22, 2026. More importantly, the event marks India's first high-level outreach to Pakistan following military skirmishes during Operation Sindoor back in May 2025.

Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, who is the National Heritage and Culture Minister of Pakistan, received an official invitation on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.

The forum, a first of its kind, will focus on historical trade routes, ancient cultural links, and Eurasian connectivity. For general knowledge, read more about the date and time, along with the important SCO members participating in the event.

Full List of 10 SCO Member Countries

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation was founded in 2001 in Shanghai, China, by Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan became full members together during the Astana Summit in 2017. Iran became the ninth full member in 2023. Then followed Belarus in 2024.

The complete 10-member roster includes Republic of Belarus, People's Republic of China, Republic of India, Islamic Republic of Iran, Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Russian Federation, Republic of Tajikistan, Republic of Uzbekistan.

The grouping also retains Afghanistan and Mongolia as observer nations, alongside 15 official dialogue partners.

Why India’s Invite to Pakistan Carries Diplomatic Weight After Operation Sindoor

Direct bilateral visits between New Delhi and Islamabad have remained suspended since border skirmishes during Operation Sindoor in mid-2025. By inviting Pakistan under the SCO charter, India fulfils its multilateral obligations without altering its firm bilateral security stance. The upcoming New Delhi forum will test diplomatic engagement across South and Central Asia.