Pakistan's top diplomat in India joined other Shanghai Cooperation Organisation envoys at a foreign ministry luncheon in New Delhi. The interaction focused on cultural exchanges ahead of India's inaugural civilisation dialogue forum.Randhir Jaiswal said discussions centred on strengthening cooperation within the SCO framework.
Amid strained ties between New Delhi and Islamabad, Pakistan's top diplomatic representative in India joined envoys from other Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) countries at a luncheon hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday, ahead of a major cultural forum scheduled for next month.Pakistan's Charge d'Affaires Saad Ahmad Warraich attended the luncheon hosted by Sibi George, Secretary (West) in the MEA, as India prepares to hold the inaugural SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum in New Delhi from November 20 to 22."Secretary (West) Sibi George hosted a luncheon reception for Resident Ambassadors/High Commissioners of SCO Member States and Partner countries," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X.CULTURAL TIES, CIVILISATIONAL EXCHANGES ON AGENDAJaiswal said discussions centred on strengthening cooperation within the SCO framework, with particular emphasis on cultural and civilisational exchanges and preparations for the upcoming forum. "The interaction underscored India's commitment to strengthening longstanding civilisational connections and people-to-people ties with the SCO region," he added.The luncheon comes as India prepares to welcome representatives from the 10-member bloc for the November gathering, which aims to deepen cultural connections and promote mutual understanding among participating countries. India had invited all SCO member states, including Pakistan, to the inaugural forum.
On Wednesday, Jaiswal confirmed that Islamabad had received an invitation to participate. The last visit by a senior Pakistani minister to India was in May 2023, when then Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari attended the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Goa.INDIA ANNOUNCED FORUM AT SCO MEETINGDefence Minister Rajnath Singh announced the initiative at the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on October 20."At the end of this year, India will host the first SCO Civilisation Dialogue Forum.
We invite all SCO countries to participate in it," Singh said.He also called for a firm, collective response to terrorism, arguing that countries should not apply different standards when addressing the threat."There should be no double standards in dealing with terrorism, and no place for those who finance, support or provide safe havens to terrorists. The entire ecosystem of terrorism must be firmly and collectively dismantled," he said.Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar attended the meeting.The SCO comprises 10 member states: Belarus, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
India became a full member in 2017.- Ends