MEA hosts SCO envoys and Pakistan diplomat ahead of New Delhi forum

Combating terrorism must be free of double standards, leaving zero tolerance or sanctuary for those who fund, back, or shelter extremists. The entire ecosystem of terrorism must be firmly and collectively dismantled, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated on October 20 at the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

That call for a firm, collective response sets the diplomatic backdrop for New Delhi as Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires Saad Ahmad Warraich joined envoys from other Shanghai Cooperation Organisation member states at a luncheon hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday. The gathering was hosted by Sibi George, Secretary (West) in the MEA, ahead of a major cultural forum scheduled for next month.

India is preparing to hold the inaugural SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum in New Delhi from November 20 to 22. The event aims to deepen cultural connections and promote mutual understanding among participating countries.

Diplomatic Exchanges Ahead of New Delhi Forum

Secretary (West) Sibi George hosted the luncheon reception for Resident Ambassadors and High Commissioners of SCO Member States and Partner countries, according to Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in a post on X. Talks focused on deepening collaboration under the SCO structure, placing special emphasis on cultural and civilisational links alongside preparations for the upcoming summit.

The interaction showed India's commitment to strengthening longstanding civilisational connections and people-to-people ties with the SCO region, Jaiswal added. India had invited all SCO member states, including Pakistan, to the inaugural forum. Jaiswal confirmed that Islamabad had received an invitation to participate.

The last visit by a senior Pakistani minister to India took place in May 2023. At that time, then Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari attended the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Goa.

Initiative Announced at Dushanbe Meeting

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced the forum initiative during the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Dushanbe on October 20. At the end of this year, India will host the first SCO Civilisation Dialogue Forum, Singh said while extending an invitation to all SCO countries to participate.

During the same meeting, Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar was in attendance as Singh pressed for a collective response to cross-border security concerns. The SCO comprises 10 member states: Belarus, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India became a full member of the bloc in 2017.

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