New Delhi: Amidst the severe diplomatic crisis between India and Pakistan, Pakistan has taken an important step aimed at opening channels of communication between the two nations. Pakistan has decided to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Civilizations Dialogue scheduled to be hosted by India.
The three-day conference will be held in New Delhi from November 20 to 22. Pakistan has nominated Dr. Musaddiq Masood Malik, Minister for Climate Change and Environment, as its official representative to this event. This decision is significant given the strained relations caused by border conflicts and political differences between the two countries.
The Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed participation in an official statement issued on Saturday. Pakistan explained that attending the conference is part of efforts to strengthen cultural cooperation among SCO member states and foster mutual understanding among different civilizations. Cultural heritage, people-to-people connections, mutual trust, and regional cooperation will be key discussion topics at the conference.
Dr. Musaddiq Malik’s designated visit to India carries special diplomatic importance. It will be the first time in over three years that a federal minister from Pakistan visits India. The last senior Pakistani ministerial visit occurred in May 2023 when then-Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari attended the SCO Foreign Ministers’ meeting held in Goa. Although Bilawal Bhutto’s visit was a significant diplomatic event, it did not lead to substantive progress in bilateral relations. Subsequently, differences over border security, terrorism, and the Kashmir issue have widened the gap between the two countries. In particular, the military confrontations in 2025 further intensified distrust between India and Pakistan.
Against this background, the Pakistani minister’s visit to New Delhi is seen as an important event in regional diplomacy. However, there is no official confirmation of any bilateral talks with Indian leaders as part of the visit.
India announced on October 28 that it has invited all ten SCO member states to the Civilizations Dialogue forum in New Delhi, which it is hosting for the first time. This special forum aims to encourage cultural exchanges among member states and to broaden understanding of their shared historical heritage. The event is jointly organized by India’s Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Culture.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jayswal stated that preparations for the conference are underway and all member state representatives will be welcomed to India. India’s position is that despite political differences, the participation of member states in multilateral organizations’ activities must be ensured.
There is a question whether the Pakistani minister’s visit will mark a new beginning in India-Pakistan diplomatic ties. However, experts caution that the participation in the SCO conference should not be seen as a clear indication that bilateral relations are returning to normal. Bilateral relations and cooperation within multilateral organizations operate at different levels.
Pakistan has clarified that the decision to attend the event reflects its commitment to cultural dialogue and cooperation among SCO members, and it is not being presented as a declaration to restart direct diplomatic discussions with India. Nevertheless, the presence of high-level delegations from both countries at the same venue offers limited opportunities for exchanges during a long period of diplomatic hiatus. Even without official bilateral meetings, such multilateral gatherings can help prevent a complete breakdown in diplomatic relations.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is a major multinational group working to strengthen regional security, economic development, political cooperation, trade, and cultural ties across Asia. Its current member states are India, Pakistan, China, Russia, Iran, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Despite geopolitical differences among members, the SCO serves as a platform for dialogue on common issues.
The organization emphasizes not only security and economic cooperation but also promoting ties among peoples and mutual respect for cultural diversity. The recurring organization of the Civilizations Dialogue conference in New Delhi aligns with these objectives.
In October 2024, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar participated in the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting held in Islamabad, marking India’s continued engagement with the organization amid tensions with Pakistan. While that visit drew considerable diplomatic attention, it was not portrayed by India as a targeted effort to improve bilateral relations.
Now, in comparable circumstances, Pakistan is preparing to send its ministerial representative to India. Both countries’ actions demonstrate a shared interest in maintaining engagement in multilateral forums as a means to explore avenues for regional cooperation.
Although the SCO conference in New Delhi is unlikely to serve as a platform for resolving immediate political disputes between India and Pakistan, it might provide a rare occasion for limited communication amid a protracted diplomatic freeze. Diplomatic observers will monitor whether any high-level bilateral meetings take place during Dr. Musaddiq Malik’s visit and whether discussions at the conference influence future Indo-Pak relations.
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Original Malayalam report: Malayalam Daily News
