India invites Pakistan Minister to culture forum

The SCO culture forum: what happened?

Two neighbours who barely talk may still sit at the same table at a friend’s wedding. The SCO is that shared table for India and Pakistan.

• India will host the SCO’s first Civilisational Dialogue Forum next month at Purana Qila in Delhi.
• India has invited Pakistan’s Culture Minister, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi.
• If he comes, he will be the first Pakistani Minister in India since the May 2025 conflict between the two countries.
• The idea came from Prime Minister Modi at the SCO’s Tianjin summit last year, and the SCO Council adopted it.
• India follows two tracks: it has skipped South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) meetings in Islamabad since 2016, but it joins SCO meetings held there.

What is the SCO?

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation was founded in Shanghai in 2001. It grew out of the ‘Shanghai Five’ group of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, with Uzbekistan joining at the founding.

India and Pakistan became full members in 2017. Iran joined in 2023 and Belarus in 2024.

Its secretariat is in Beijing, and its Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) is in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. It works on security, trade and culture.

Purana Qila was begun by the Mughal emperor Humayun as Dinpanah in the 16th century and completed by Sher Shah Suri. Digs there have found remains from pre-Mauryan to Mughal times.

SAARC versus SCO for India and Pakistan

Which agreements and ideas apply?

• SCO Charter (2002): the founding document that sets the group’s goals.
• RATS (Tashkent): the SCO body that shares information on terrorism.
• Soft power: influence through culture, ideas and values instead of force.
• Article 51 (Directive Principles): the State shall promote international peace and security.

Why does the SCO culture forum matter?

What are the problems with the SCO culture forum?

• Terrorism from across the border remains the main block to normal ties.
• Pakistan may decline or use the visit for political messages.
• China’s strong role in the SCO limits India’s influence.
• Culture forums cannot by themselves solve deep disputes.

What should be done next on the SCO culture forum?

• Use culture and people-to-people links to keep a channel open.
• Keep the firm line that talks and terror cannot go together.
• Use the SCO to push Central Asia connectivity and counter-terror cooperation.
• Showcase Indian heritage sites to build tourism and goodwill.

What can Prelims ask on the SCO culture forum?

Prelims probability: Expect a statement question on the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation: founded in 2001, India a full member since 2017, and its Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure is in Tashkent.

• SCO: founded 2001, Shanghai; secretariat Beijing; RATS Tashkent.
• India and Pakistan: full members since 2017 (Astana summit).
• Purana Qila: begun by Humayun as Dinpanah; completed by Sher Shah Suri.
• SAARC: founded 1985 in Dhaka; secretariat Kathmandu.
• Tianjin, China hosted the SCO summit where India proposed the Civilisational Dialogue Forum.

How to write about the SCO culture forum in Mains

Practice question (15 marks, 250 words): Cultural diplomacy can keep channels of engagement open even when political ties are strained. Examine this statement in the context of India–Pakistan relations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

• Intro: India invites Pakistan’s Culture Minister to the SCO forum.
• Soft power: culture, heritage, people-to-people links.
• Limits: terrorism, trust deficit, China factor.
• SCO as a platform vs SAARC deadlock.
• Conclusion: dialogue on culture, firmness on terror.