India to Host First SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum

India will host the inaugural Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Civilisational Dialogue Forum by the end of 2026. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced the event on Tuesday during the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, inviting all member countries to participate.

The forum fulfills a 2025 proposal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to enhance people-to-people ties through the sharing of art, traditions, and ancient civilisations. During the Dushanbe meeting, Singh asserted that connectivity initiatives must respect national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Singh also called for a collective effort to eliminate the ecosystem of terrorism, stating there can be no "double standards" in dealing with the issue. The meeting concluded with the Heads of Delegation adopting a Joint Communiqué that included the 2027 SCO budget and the PMTEC Action Plan for 2026-2030. On the sidelines of the summit, Singh held meetings with Tajikistan Prime Minister Qohir Rosulzoda and Iran First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref.