Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday, 20 October announced that India will host the first-ever SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum before the end of 2026, extending a formal invitation to all member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Singh made the announcement during his address at the SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

The Civilisational Dialogue Announcement

In what marks a significant cultural-diplomatic initiative, Singh declared: '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.' The forum is intended to deepen civilisational and cultural ties among the bloc's diverse member nations, going beyond the SCO's traditionally security- and trade-focused agenda.

Singh also welcomed the SCO's decision to make the Universal Centre in Tashkent and the Anti-Drug Centre in Dushanbe permanent bodies of the organisation, while noting that their effectiveness would depend on coordination speed and quality.

India's Connectivity Conditions

On the critical question of regional connectivity — a subject of ongoing tension given India's reservations over China-backed infrastructure projects — Singh articulated a clear red line. 'Connectivity is important for our shared prosperity,' he said, but added that it 'should be based on consultation and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each country involved with it.'

He specifically cited the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and Chabahar Port as connectivity models that could substantially link Central Asia to wider markets. Analysts widely read his caveat — that projects not respecting sovereignty principles 'will not be sustainable' — as an implicit reference to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which runs through Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

Counter-Terrorism: No Double Standards

Singh used the Dushanbe platform to deliver one of his sharpest articulations of India's counter-terrorism position. 'There can be no justification for terrorism. There can be no double standards in dealing with it, and there can be no place for those who finance, support, or provide safe haven to terrorists,' he said. He called for the 'entire ecosystem of terrorism' to be collectively and firmly eliminated — language directed broadly at SCO states, some of which have been accused of harbouring or tolerating militant networks.

This comes amid continued concerns about cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan, a fellow SCO member, making India's messaging at the bloc particularly pointed.

Technology, Women's Leadership and Global Initiatives

Singh highlighted India's Digital Public Infrastructure as a model for transforming public service delivery and boosting financial inclusion, and pointed to the country's start-up ecosystem as evidence of scalable innovation. He stressed that cooperation within the SCO must remain 'people-centric', with success measured by opportunities created for youth, entrepreneurs, farmers, and small businesses.

He further underscored India's commitment to women's leadership in development, and cited global initiatives including the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, Mission LiFE, and the Global Biofuel Alliance as reflections of India's broader developmental vision for clean energy and sustainable growth.

What to Watch Next

With the SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum expected before 31 December 2026, attention will now shift to the venue, format, and whether geopolitically sensitive members — particularly China and Pakistan — confirm participation. Singh's dual emphasis on sovereignty-based connectivity and zero-tolerance on terrorism signals that India intends to use its hosting role to shape the SCO's cultural and normative agenda alongside its security one.