India has invited Pakistan's Culture Minister Aurangzeb Khan Khichi to attend an important international event in New Delhi. The SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum will take place from November 20 to 22, 2026.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to open the event at Purana Qila in Delhi. The forum will bring together representatives from different countries to talk about culture, history and traditions.

Pakistan has not yet confirmed whether Khichi will attend the event. If he visits India, he will become the first Pakistani minister to visit the country since former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari came to India in 2023.

The invitation has attracted attention because relations between India and Pakistan remain tense.

What Is the SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum?

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation or SCO is an international group that works on cooperation between its member countries.

The Civilisational Dialogue Forum aims to bring countries together through their shared history and culture. Discussions are expected to cover traditions, art, heritage and links between different civilisations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed the idea during the SCO summit in Tianjin, China, in 2025. The proposal was later accepted by the organisation.

According to reports, India's Ministry of Culture and Ministry of External Affairs are working together to organise the event. Representatives from more than 25 countries are expected to attend.

The forum will also include invitations to culture ministers from all 10 SCO member countries.

Readers can learn more about the organisation through the official SCO website.

Why Is Pakistan's Invitation Important?

The invitation comes at a time when India and Pakistan are facing difficult relations. Tensions increased after the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025 and the military conflict that followed in May.

The last Pakistani minister to visit India was Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. He travelled to Goa in May 2023 to attend a meeting of SCO foreign ministers.

If Aurangzeb Khan Khichi accepts the invitation, it will mark another visit by a Pakistani minister to India after more than three years.

However, his possible visit does not mean that the two countries have resolved their differences. The event is being organised under the SCO platform, where member countries can take part in discussions on common issues.

The invitation is important because it creates an opportunity for both countries to be part of the same international gathering.

Why Was Purana Qila Chosen for the Event?

Purana Qila is one of Delhi's most well known historical sites. The fort has a long history and is connected to the city's cultural heritage.

The venue also fits the main theme of the forum. The event is focused on history, culture and the links between different civilisations.

By holding the gathering at a historic location, India will have an opportunity to present its cultural heritage to international visitors.

The discussions may also help participating countries understand each other's traditions and historical connections.

Will Aurangzeb Khan Khichi Attend the Forum?

Pakistan has not yet confirmed whether its culture minister will attend the event. It is also unclear whether the country will send another representative.

His participation will be closely watched because of the current situation between India and Pakistan.

If Khichi visits New Delhi, it could create an opportunity for interaction between representatives of the two countries. However, any wider change in their relationship would depend on several other factors.

For now, the main question is whether Pakistan will accept India's invitation.

Conclusion

India's invitation to Aurangzeb Khan Khichi has brought attention to the upcoming SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum in Delhi.

The event will focus on culture, history and cooperation between countries. It will also bring together representatives from different parts of the world.

Pakistan's decision is still awaited. If Khichi attends, his visit will be notable as the first visit by a Pakistani minister to India since Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's trip in 2023.

The final picture will become clearer once Pakistan confirms its participation.