SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum 2026: India’s Initiative for Cultural Cooperation and People-to-People Ties

Why in News?

• On 20 October 2026, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced that India would host the first SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum by the end of 2026.
• He invited member countries to participate while addressing the 25th SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
• The initiative aims to strengthen cultural engagement and people-to-people ties among SCO countries.
• This is an announcement of a forthcoming event; the cited release does not specify its exact dates or host city. 

How Did the Initiative Emerge?

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed establishing a Civilisational Dialogue Forum under the SCO at the Tianjin Summit in 2025.
• The proposal envisaged a platform to showcase the richness of ancient civilisations, art, literature and traditions.
• It builds on India’s emphasis on connecting SCO cooperation with scholars, young scientists, start-ups and wider society.
• During India’s SCO presidency in 2023, areas such as shared Buddhist heritage, traditional medicine, innovation and youth engagement received greater attention.

What Is the SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum?

The forum is an Indian initiative under the SCO framework intended to deepen mutual understanding through cultural and civilisational exchanges.

Its central objectives include:

• People-to-people engagement: Strengthening connections beyond government-level interaction.
• Cultural understanding: Encouraging appreciation of different histories, traditions and ways of life.
• Heritage exchange: Providing visibility to the region’s ancient civilisations, literature and artistic traditions.
• Dialogue and cooperation: Using shared cultural interests to support sustained engagement among societies.

Specific activities and institutional arrangements will depend on the programme announced for the inaugural edition.

About the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

The SCO provides an institutional framework for cooperation across a substantial part of Eurasia. 

Two Important SCO Councils

Key Outcomes of the Dushanbe Meeting

Alongside the cultural initiative, the meeting addressed practical cooperation among member countries.

• Joint communiqué: Heads of delegations adopted the communiqué of the 25th Council of Heads of Government meeting.
• SCO budget: Decisions included approval of the organisation’s budget for 2027 and related financial and administrative measures.
• Economic cooperation: The meeting adopted the PMTEC Action Plan for 2026–2030, concerning the Programme of Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation.
• Sectoral engagement: Discussions covered transport, finance, the digital economy and social development. 

India’s Vision: Security, Connectivity and Opportunity

India’s approach to SCO cooperation rests on three mutually reinforcing priorities:

The Civilisational Dialogue Forum complements this approach by strengthening the social and cultural relationships that can sustain cooperation.

Significance of the Civilisational Dialogue Forum

1. Strengthening Cultural Diplomacy: Cultural diplomacy uses heritage, art, language and intellectual exchanges to improve understanding between societies. The forum could provide a sustained platform for these interactions.
2. Building Mutual Understanding: Exchanges among scholars, artists and young people can help reduce stereotypes and improve familiarity with neighbouring societies.
3. Expanding the SCO’s Public Reach: The initiative could make the organisation more visible to citizens by connecting diplomatic engagement with cultural participation.
4. Supporting Heritage Cooperation: Joint research, translations, museum collaborations and heritage documentation could become useful areas of future cooperation.

Challenges

• Political differences: Disagreements among member countries may affect participation and continuity.
• Symbolic outcomes: A single event may have limited impact without follow-up projects.
• Language barriers: Meaningful exchanges require translation and accessible communication.
• Uneven participation: Smaller institutions and less-resourced cultural communities may struggle to participate.
• Competing historical narratives: Discussions must accommodate diverse interpretations of shared history.

Way Forward

• Develop a continuing programme: Link the inaugural forum with regular exchanges and follow-up meetings.
• Promote joint projects: Encourage translations, collaborative research and digital heritage collections.
• Prioritise youth participation: Include students, early-career researchers and young cultural practitioners.
• Ensure diversity: Represent different languages, regions, communities and cultural traditions.
• Measure practical outcomes: Track sustained partnerships, completed projects and public participation.

Conclusion

The SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum offers India an opportunity to strengthen cultural cooperation across Eurasia. Its lasting value will depend on turning dialogue into sustained exchanges, inclusive participation and practical partnerships that connect people across national boundaries.

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