World · South & Central Asia · 2 hrs ago
Pakistani minister to visit India for SCO talks, first such trip since 2023
Pakistan’s Climate Minister Musadik Malik will attend an SCO dialogue in New Delhi from November 20 to 22.
The visit will be the first by a Pakistani federal minister to India since former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari went to an SCO meeting in Goa in May 2023.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation brings together India, Pakistan and other countries for political, economic and security cooperation.
India and Pakistan’s relations have been tense for decades, especially over Kashmir, which both countries claim.
The relationship worsened after an attack in Kashmir in April 2025 killed 26 people, followed by a four-day military confrontation between the countries in May.
Malik’s attendance signals a return to minister-level contact after that conflict, though the sources do not say that broader talks have been agreed.
The visit comes as Pakistan prepares to host an SCO summit next year, while India has also sent an official to Islamabad for a preparatory meeting.
Pakistan’s Climate Minister Musadik Masood Malik will represent the country at the SCO Civilizational Dialogue in New Delhi from November 20 to 22, 2026.
The visit will be the first by a Pakistani federal minister to India since former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari attended an SCO meeting in Goa in May 2023.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said the country remains committed to dialogue among civilisations and people-to-people contacts within the SCO framework.
The visit comes after India and Pakistan fought a four-day conflict in May 2025, following an attack in Kashmir that killed more than two dozen tourists.
- Who
- Pakistan’s Climate Minister Musadik Masood Malik will represent Pakistan.
- What
- He will attend the SCO Civilizational Dialogue. The visit will be the first by a Pakistani federal minister to India since May 2023.
- When
- November 20 to 22, 2026.
- Where
- New Delhi, India.
- Why
- Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said the country is committed to dialogue among civilisations and people-to-people contacts within the SCO framework.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari attended an SCO meeting in Goa.
A terror attack in Pahalgam killed 26 people, according to The Hindu.
India launched Operation Sindoor and a four-day military confrontation ended following an understanding between military officials, according to The Hindu.
Pakistan announced that Musadik Malik would represent the country at the SCO Civilizational Dialogue.
The SCO Civilizational Dialogue is scheduled to take place in New Delhi.
- Representative
- Musadik Masood Malik, Pakistan’s Climate Minister
- Event
- SCO Civilizational Dialogue
- Dates
- November 20-22, 2026
- Venue
- New Delhi, India
- Previous ministerial visit
- Bilawal Bhutto Zardari attended an SCO meeting in Goa in May 2023
3 sources
What people are saying
The Government of Pakistan remains committed to promoting dialogue among civilisations and fostering people-to-people contacts within the SCO framework in a spirit of mutual.
The Government of Pakistan remains committed to promoting dialogue among civilisations and fostering people-to-people contacts within the SCO framework in a spirit of mutual respect.
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JUST IN | Pakistan has nominated Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Musadik Masood Malik, to represent the country at the SCO Civilisational Dialogue, scheduled to be held in New Delhi from November 20 to November 22. - @suhasinih reports 📸