India Invites Pakistan Minister Aurangzeb Khan Khichi to New Delhi for SCO Cultural Forum India has formally invited Pakistan Minister Aurangzeb Khan Khichi to the SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum in New Delhi on November 20-21, marking the first such outreach since Operation Sindoor in May 2025. India has extended an official invitation to Pakistan’s Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, to attend the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Civilisational Dialogue Forum in New Delhi. Scheduled for November 20 and 21, the summit marks a significant diplomatic outreach between the two neighbouring nations following a period of intense bilateral friction triggered by Operation Sindoor in May 2025. Despite the political backdrop, Indian officials have framed the invite as a standard fulfillment of host country obligations under the multilateral framework of the SCO. Diplomatic Context Following Operation Sindoor The invitation sent to Aurangzeb Khan Khichi carries heavy diplomatic weight, coming as the first formal Indian outreach to a senior Pakistani minister since the military events of May 2025. Relations between New Delhi and Islamabad suffered severe strain following the Pahalgam terror attack in May 2025. In direct response to that assault, Indian armed forces initiated Operation Sindoor to target and dismantle cross-border terror facilities. The subsequent period saw a complete freeze in bilateral engagements. However, Indian diplomatic channels clarify that extending this invitation does not signal a political thaw or normalization of bilateral ties. Instead, it reflects New Delhi's institutional commitment to the SCO charter. As the host nation for this multilateral forum, India is bound by protocol to invite delegates from every member state, ensuring equitable access to shared international platforms regardless of ongoing bilateral rivalries. Two-Day Eurasian Cultural Gathering in New Delhi The two-day SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum will take place in New Delhi on November 20 and 21. Event planners intend to hold the summit at a prominent historic monument within the capital to highlight the rich heritage of the region. The primary objective of the gathering is to deepen cultural exchanges, strengthen people-to-people connections, and celebrate the collective historical legacies across Eurasian member states. Delegates at the conference will focus discussions on ancient civilisational heritages, literary traditions, artistic exchanges, and regional cultural preservation. Through this initiative, India aims to showcase shared history while reinforcing collaborative ties among member countries across the broader Eurasian landscape. Evolution of the Proposal from Tianjin to Dushanbe The concept of organizing a dedicated civilisational dialogue was originally put forward by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the SCO Council of Heads of State summit held in Tianjin, China, in September 2025. Emphasizing the soft power of historical connections, the proposal gained traction among member countries as a vital channel for diplomatic engagement. Formal confirmation of India's role as host came a year later. On October 20, 2026, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh officially announced New Delhi's hosting plans while addressing the 25th meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. That address set the stage for the upcoming New Delhi gathering. Previous High-Level SCO Exchanges Between India and Pakistan High-level ministerial contact between the two South Asian neighbors has been rare in recent years, operating almost exclusively within multilateral formats. In May 2023, then Foreign Minister of Pakistan Bilawal Bhutto Zardari traveled to Goa to participate in the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting, representing one of the few visits by a top Pakistani official to Indian soil in recent memory. Reciprocating within the same SCO framework, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Islamabad in October 2024 to lead the Indian delegation at the SCO Council of Heads of Government summit. Jaishankar’s trip marked the first major Indian ministerial visit to Pakistan in nearly two years, during which he held engagements with senior Pakistani leaders under the SCO banner. Multilateral Cooperation Ahead of Islamabad Summit The diplomatic dynamics carry additional importance as Pakistan is designated to host the next SCO summit next year. Maintaining functional institutional participation within the SCO is essential for both New Delhi and Islamabad as the leadership mantle transitions across member states. The SCO functions as a key Eurasian platform addressing regional security, economic integration, and cultural connectivity. Even amidst deep-seated bilateral disputes, member nations routinely maintain attendance at official forums. For India, active involvement in such forums remains critical to advancing its strategic priorities, safeguarding regional interests, and maintaining a proactive role in Eurasian multilateral diplomacy. What this means for you The invitation extended to Pakistan for the SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum provides key indicators for multilateral diplomacy and regional stability. • Across India: It highlights India's adherence to multilateral international obligations even during times of severe bilateral tension following Operation Sindoor. • Diplomatic Impact: Keeping communication channels open at multilateral venues provides a structured framework for managing regional friction without compromising national security stances. • Cultural Reach: The forum reinforces India's role as a key player in promoting Eurasian heritage, literature, and shared civilisational links. • Regional Stability: Institutional interaction under the SCO umbrella ensures essential operational contact between neighboring states ahead of upcoming summits. Why this happened The decision to invite the Pakistani minister stems from India's obligations as the host country of the SCO forum and its broader cultural diplomacy agenda. • Multilateral Charter Obligations: As the host country for the SCO event, India is bound by institutional protocol to extend invitations to all member state representatives. • Implementation of PM Modi's Proposal: The forum fulfills a vision proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Tianjin SCO summit in September 2025 to foster Eurasian cultural dialogue. • Post-Operation Sindoor Dynamic: Following the May 2025 Pahalgam attack and India's counter-terrorism Operation Sindoor, direct bilateral communications froze, leaving multilateral forums as the primary contact venue. • Upcoming Summit Hosting: With Pakistan scheduled to chair and host the SCO summit next year, routine participation by all members maintains operational continuity. Questions & Answers 1. Which Pakistani minister was invited by India for the SCO event? India invited Pakistan’s Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, to attend the SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum. 2. When and where will the SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum take place? The forum is scheduled to be held in New Delhi on November 20 and 21 at a historic monument site. 3. Why is this invitation significant following Operation Sindoor? It marks the first official Indian invitation to a senior Pakistani minister since relations strained following the May 2025 Pahalgam attack and India's retaliatory Operation Sindoor. 4. Who originally proposed the Civilisational Dialogue Forum? Prime Minister Narendra Modi originally proposed the forum in September 2025 during the SCO summit in Tianjin, China. 5. When was India's hosting officially announced? Defence Minister Rajnath Singh formally announced India's hosting on October 20, 2026, during the SCO meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. https://trendkia.com/en/delhi/new-delhi-men-hone-vali-sco-baithaka-ke-lie-india-ne-pakistani-mntri-aurangzeb-khan-khichi-ko-bheja-adhikarika-bulava-52296 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.