India invites Pakistan minister for SCO forum in Delhi, first since Operation Sindoor

India has invited Pakistan’s Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, to the first Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Civilisational Dialogue Forum in New Delhi from November 20 to 22, diplomatic sources said. India has invited all 10 SCO member states to the forum.

The invitation comes amid strained India-Pakistan ties following Operation Sindoor, launched by India in May 2025 after the Pahalgam terror attack, and marks the first such invitation to a senior Pakistani minister since the military operation.

If Khichi attends, it would mark the first visit by a senior Pakistani minister to India since then Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto



Zardari attended the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Goa in May 2023.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced the forum at the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on October 20, saying all member states had been invited.

If Khichi attends, it would mark the first visit by a senior Pakistani minister to India since then Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari attended the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Goa in May 2023.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced the forum at the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on October 20, saying all member states had been invited.