Pakistan to attend SCO meeting in India as Musadik Malik gets key role
The Foreign Office (FO) announced that Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik had been nominated for the international meeting. The event will bring representatives from member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) together to discuss cultural understanding and relations between different civilisations.
Pakistan highlights commitment to cultural dialogue
In its statement, the Foreign Office said the meeting would provide an opportunity for SCO members to exchange views on civilisational dialogue and cultural understanding. Pakistan also stressed the importance of building stronger relations between people from different countries.
“The government of Pakistan remains committed to promoting dialogue among civilisations and fostering people-to-people contacts within the SCO framework in a spirit of mutual respect,” the statement said.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also confirmed Pakistan’s participation in a post on X. He said: “Pakistan who is chairing the SCO Council of Heads of State (CHS) in 2026-27, will participate in SCO Civilisational Dialogue in New Delhi this month.”
India invites 10 SCO member countries
According to Indian news agency ANI, 10 SCO member countries, including Pakistan, have been invited to attend the first Civilisational Dialogue. The initiative was proposed by India, which is preparing to host the gathering in New Delhi.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed the invitations during a media briefing on Friday. He said India had invited several member countries and looked forward to hosting the event.
Pakistan’s role in SCO activities
Pakistan has remained actively involved in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation through hosting important meetings and leading different bodies within the regional group. It also holds the permanent chairmanship of an SCO working group on poverty alleviation, which focuses on improving living standards across the region.
In October 2024, Pakistan hosted the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Islamabad. India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar attended the event on behalf of the Indian prime minister.
Previous India-Pakistan engagement through SCO
Jaishankar’s visit to Islamabad was an important diplomatic development between the two neighbouring countries. It was the first visit by an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan in nearly 10 years.
The visit took place several months before the military conflict between Pakistan and India in May 2025 increased tensions between the two countries. Despite their difficult relations, both countries remain members of the SCO and continue to participate in its activities.
Pakistan’s decision to send Musadik Malik to New Delhi shows its continued participation in regional diplomatic activities. The SCO meeting will provide an opportunity for member countries to discuss cultural understanding and improve people-to-people contacts.
Pakistan and India have faced serious tensions in recent years, but their membership in the same regional organisation creates opportunities for communication. However, participation in the meeting does not necessarily mean that political differences between the two countries have been resolved.
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