New Delhi : Pakistan has nominated its Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Minister, Musadik Masood Malik, to represent the country at the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) civilizational dialogue scheduled to take place in New Delhi from November 20 to 22.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry announced the nomination on Saturday, reiterating Islamabad’s commitment to promoting cultural understanding, civilizational exchanges and people-to-people engagement among SCO member nations.
If the visit goes ahead, Malik would become the first Pakistani federal minister to travel to India in more than three years, marking a notable development amid strained bilateral relations.
Diplomatic relations between New Delhi and Islamabad deteriorated sharply following the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians. India subsequently launched Operation Sindoor on May 6–7, targeting terrorist infrastructure across the border. The military confrontation eventually ended with a ceasefire understanding on May 9.
Despite the continued freeze in direct political engagement, Pakistan’s proposed participation in the New Delhi forum highlights the scope for engagement through multilateral platforms.
The three-day SCO dialogue is expected to provide a platform for member countries to exchange views on shared cultural heritage, civilizational connections and regional cooperation.
Malik’s possible visit is therefore drawing attention as a diplomatic development between the two neighbours, even as broader bilateral relations remain tense.
