India to Host First SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum by Year-End: Rajnath Singh

India will host the inaugural Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Civilisational Dialogue Forum by the end of 2026, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced on Tuesday at the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. He invited all SCO member countries to participate in the initiative aimed at strengthening cultural exchange and people-to-people ties.

The proposal was put forward by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the SCO Council of Heads of State summit in Tianjin in 2025. The forum is intended to showcase the richness of ancient civilisations, including their art, literature and traditions, on a global platform.

Addressing the meeting, Singh also highlighted the organisation's 25-year journey and India's vision for cooperation based on security, connectivity and opportunity. He recalled Modi's emphasis at the Bishkek summit on translating these three pillars into concrete outcomes that directly benefit people, with peace and security serving as the foremost requirements.

Singh underlined India's contributions to global cooperation through initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, which promote affordable clean energy and climate-resilient development. He also highlighted Mission LiFE, which encourages sustainable lifestyles and responsible consumption, and the Global Biofuel Alliance, which supports cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions.

The heads of delegation adopted the joint communiqué of the 25th meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government. According to an official statement from the Press Information Bureau, the decisions included the SCO budget for 2027, relevant financial and administrative matters, and the PMTEC Action Plan for 2026–2030.

The SCO Council of Heads of Government is an important mechanism for advancing economic and practical cooperation among member states. India has been a full member of the organisation since 2017.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Singh held discussions with Tajikistan Prime Minister Qohir Rosulzoda, emphasising longstanding civilisational ties and people-to-people connections between the two countries. He also met Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref.