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VIDEO EXPLAINER | 3 NOVEMBER 2026
India will host the first Civilisational Dialogue Forum of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), by the end of 2026. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced this in Dushanbe on 20 October, at the 25th SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting, where he represented India.
Where the idea came from
The Forum was proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 2025 Tianjin summit. Later, at the Bishkek summit, leaders agreed to hold the dialogue. Its aim is to deepen people-to-people ties among member countries and to share the art, literature and traditions of ancient civilisations.
Other outcomes of the Dushanbe meeting
The meeting adopted a Joint Communique, approved the 2027 budget, and adopted an Action Plan for 2026 to 2030 of the Programme of Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation. The chair of the Council of Heads of Government now rests with Uzbekistan, and the next meeting will be held there in 2027.
India’s position on terrorism
Rajnath Singh called for collective action against the whole ecosystem of terrorism, which includes terror financing, support and safe havens. He also said that there should be no double standards on terrorism.
Concept: Council of Heads of Government versus Heads of State summit
In the Council of Heads of Government, the prime ministers of member countries meet once a year, mainly on the budget and economic cooperation. This is different from the Heads of State summit, whose chair rotates separately. This time, India was represented by the Defence Minister rather than the Prime Minister.
Background: the SCO
The SCO was formed in Shanghai on 15 June 2001. Its Charter was signed on 7 June 2002 and came into force on 19 September 2003. The Secretariat is in Beijing. The Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) is in Tashkent. The SCO now has 10 member states. India became an observer in 2005 and a full member in 2017.
Constitutional / Legal / Institutional framework
- SCO Council of Heads of Government: annual meeting of prime ministers; budget and economic cooperation.
- SCO Charter: signed 7 June 2002; in force 19 September 2003.
- RATS: Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure; Executive Committee in Tashkent. Secretariat: Beijing.
CLAT angle
- GK: first SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum to be hosted by India; announced at Dushanbe on 20 October.
- GK: SCO founding date, Charter dates, Secretariat (Beijing), RATS (Tashkent), 10 members.
- GK: India observer in 2005, full member in 2017.
- Passage-based: terrorism ecosystem and double standards; people-to-people ties and civilisational dialogue.
- Difference between the Council of Heads of Government and the Heads of State summit.
Key facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| New initiative | First SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum, hosted by India by end of 2026 |
| Announced by | Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Dushanbe, 20 October |
| Meeting | 25th Council of Heads of Government |
| Proposed by | PM Modi, 2025 Tianjin summit |
| Agreed at | Bishkek summit |
| Next Council chair | Uzbekistan; meeting in 2027 |
| SCO formed | 15 June 2001, Shanghai |
| Charter | Signed 7 June 2002; in force 19 September 2003 |
| Secretariat / RATS | Beijing / Tashkent |
| India | Observer 2005; full member 2017 |
Mnemonic / memory hook
2001 formed, 2002 signed, 2003 in force.
One year apart each: the SCO’s formation, Charter signing and Charter entry into force.
FAQ
What is the SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum? A forum to deepen people-to-people ties and share the art, literature and traditions of ancient civilisations; India will host the first one by end of 2026.
When did India become a full SCO member? In 2017, after being an observer from 2005.
Where is the SCO Secretariat? Beijing.
Sources
Statements from India’s Ministry of Defence and Ministry of External Affairs on the 25th SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting; SCO Charter and official SCO background documents.
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