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Rajnath Singh announced India's plan to host the inaugural SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum. The initiative seeks to deepen cultural engagement and people-to-people ties among member countries.
Dushanbe,Oct 20, 2026 14:02 IST
India will host the first Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Civilisational Dialogue Forum by the end of this year, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced on Tuesday, according to news agency Press Trust of India. He invited all SCO member countries to participate in the forum.
Singh made the announcement while addressing a meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. “India, at the end of this year, will host the first SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum. We invite all SCO member countries to participate in it,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had proposed the creation of the forum during the SCO Council of Heads of State summit in Tianjin in 2025. The initiative is aimed at strengthening people-to-people ties and showcasing ancient civilisations, art, literature and traditions on a global platform.
Singh also spoke about the SCO's 25-year journey. “At the SCO Summit in Bishkek, our leaders had highlighted the 25-year journey of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. That occasion was not only for reviewing our shared journey but also for deliberations on the future direction,” he said.
In Bishkek, Modi had reiterated India's vision of security, connectivity and opportunity for the SCO. “These three pillars are mutually reinforcing. Security makes investments possible, and connectivity facilitates trade. Opportunity is what security and connectivity both enable us to provide for our people,” Singh said.
Modi had said, “The time has come to move these three pillars beyond vision and translate them into concrete outcomes. The first and foremost requirement for this is peace and security.” He had also said that SCO cooperation should reach people directly.
Singh highlighted India's global initiatives, including the Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, saying they contribute to affordable clean energy and development that can withstand the effects of climate change, PTI reported.
He said Mission LiFE promotes sustainable lifestyles and responsible consumption, while the Global Biofuel Alliance supports cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions.
The heads of delegations adopted the joint communiqu of the 25th meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government, according to an official statement issued by the Press Information Bureau. The decisions included the SCO budget for 2027, related financial and administrative measures, and the PMTEC Action Plan for 2026-2030.
The SCO Council of Heads of Government promotes economic cooperation and other practical collaboration among member countries. India has been a full member of the SCO since 2017 and continues to participate in its various mechanisms.
On the sidelines of the gathering, Singh met Tajikistan Prime Minister Qohir Rosulzoda and highlighted the longstanding civilisational ties and strong people-to-people links between India and Tajikistan. He also met Iran's First Vice-President Mohammad Reza Aref.
Singh's visit focused on India's plans to host the SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum, the grouping's priorities of security, connectivity and opportunity, and cooperation among member countries.
With PTI Inputs
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