India to Host First SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum in 2026
Why in News?
India will host the first Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Civilisational Dialogue Forum by the end of 2026. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced the initiative on 20 October 2026 during the 25th Meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, and invited all member countries to participate.
The proposed forum aims to strengthen people-to-people ties among SCO member states by promoting dialogue on their ancient civilisations, art, literature, traditions and shared cultural heritage.
About the SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum
The Civilisational Dialogue Forum is intended to provide a platform for cultural exchange and mutual understanding among SCO member countries. It seeks to highlight the historical and cultural contributions of participating societies while encouraging dialogue across different traditions.
The idea was proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the SCO Summit in Tianjin, China, in 2025. India’s announcement in Dushanbe in October 2026 marked a step towards implementing the proposal.
The initiative reflects India’s emphasis on cultural diplomacy as a complement to political, economic and security cooperation. By encouraging exchanges among scholars, cultural institutions and other participants, the forum could help strengthen mutual understanding across the SCO region.
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is a Eurasian intergovernmental organisation established in 2001. It promotes cooperation among member states in regional security, economic development, connectivity and cultural affairs.
The SCO has ten full members:
- China
- Russia
- India
- Pakistan
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Tajikistan
- Uzbekistan
- Iran
- Belarus
India and Pakistan became full members in 2017, Iran joined in 2023, and Belarus joined in 2024.
The organisation’s official languages are Chinese and Russian. Its permanent bodies include the SCO Secretariat in Beijing, China, and the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) Executive Committee in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Council of Heads of Government Meeting
The Council of Heads of Government is an important SCO mechanism that focuses on economic and practical cooperation among member states. Its responsibilities include considering economic cooperation initiatives and approving the organisation’s budget.
The 25th meeting was held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on 20 October 2026. According to the supplied report, the participating delegations adopted a joint communiqué that included the SCO budget for 2027 and the PMTEC Action Plan for 2026–2030.
The meeting provided the setting for India to announce the proposed Civilisational Dialogue Forum and invite participation from all SCO members.
India’s Engagement with the SCO
India became a full member of the SCO in 2017. Its engagement spans regional security, connectivity, economic cooperation and cultural exchanges.
At the Dushanbe meeting, Rajnath Singh referred to India’s initiatives relating to clean energy, climate resilience and sustainable consumption, including:
- International Solar Alliance (ISA): Promotes international cooperation to expand solar energy.
- Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI): Supports efforts to make infrastructure more resilient to disasters and climate risks.
- Mission LiFE: Encourages environmentally responsible lifestyles and sustainable consumption.
- Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA): Promotes international cooperation in the development and adoption of biofuels.
These initiatives illustrate India’s wider approach to international cooperation on sustainable development and climate-related challenges.
Significance of the Civilisational Dialogue Forum
1. Cultural diplomacy: It can strengthen India’s engagement with other SCO countries through shared cultural and historical discussions.
2. People-to-people relations: Cultural exchanges can encourage mutual understanding among societies beyond formal government interactions.
3. Regional cooperation: The forum adds a cultural dimension to the SCO’s existing political, economic and security mechanisms.
4. Heritage and knowledge exchange: Dialogue on art, literature and traditions can encourage cooperation among cultural institutions, researchers and scholars.
5. India’s regional role: Hosting the first forum provides India with an opportunity to promote dialogue and cultural exchange within the Eurasian region.
The initiative’s long-term impact will depend on participation, the continuity of exchanges and the development of practical collaborative activities.
Important Facts for Exams
- Initiative: SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum.
- Host country: India.
- Proposed timeline: By the end of 2026.
- Announcement: Rajnath Singh, 20 October 2026.
- Proposal: Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the SCO Summit in Tianjin in 2025.
- Main objective: Promote cultural dialogue and people-to-people ties.
- SCO established: 2001.
- SCO full members: 10 countries.
- Official languages: Chinese and Russian.
- SCO Secretariat: Beijing, China.
- RATS Executive Committee: Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
- India became a full member: 2017.
