India is set to host the first-ever Civilisational Dialogue Forum under the banner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). The event aims to bring together culture ministers from all ten member nations to discuss shared heritage and cultural cooperation. The list of invitees includes representatives from Russia, China, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, and Belarus.

Notably, the invitation list includes Pakistan, despite ongoing geopolitical tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad. The forum is intended to serve as a platform for member states to engage in dialogue regarding their respective cultural identities and historical connections within the SCO framework. While the announcement confirms the invitation of all member states, it does not currently specify the dates for the event or the expected attendance levels of the invited ministers. The initiative represents an effort by India to leverage its cultural diplomacy within the regional bloc, focusing on civilisational ties rather than purely political or economic agendas.