Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to lead a high-level Indian delegation to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting, which will be held in Qingdao, China, from June 25 to 26. The meeting will bring together defence leaders from SCO member states to deliberate on pressing regional and international security issues, with a focus on promoting peace, enhancing counter-terrorism cooperation, and strengthening collaboration among defence ministries.
At the meeting, Defence Minister Singh is expected to reiterate India’s unwavering commitment to the SCO’s principles and goals. He will likely outline India’s strategic vision for bolstering international peace and stability, while emphasizing the urgent need for collective and consistent action to combat terrorism and extremism. Singh is also expected to advocate for deeper economic engagement, enhanced trade, and improved connectivity within the SCO region.
The Defence Minister will also hold bilateral talks with counterparts from several participating nations, including China and Russia. These meetings aim to further deepen defence cooperation and explore avenues for strengthening strategic partnerships.
India views the SCO as an important multilateral platform that fosters regional cooperation across political, security, economic, and cultural spheres. The organisation upholds core principles such as sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, and mutual respect among its members.
Established in 2001, the SCO has grown into a significant regional bloc. India became a full member in 2017 and held the rotating chairmanship in 2023. The organisation currently includes India, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Belarus. China holds the SCO chair for 2025 under the theme “Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move.”
