Rajnath Singh to attend SCO defence ministers’ meet in China, push anti-terror cooperation

New Delhi, Jun 24: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will lead a high-level Indian delegation to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting scheduled to take place in Qingdao, China, from June 25 to 26. The meeting will bring together defence chiefs from all SCO member states to deliberate on pressing regional and global security concerns. Key agenda items at the summit include enhancing cooperation on counter-terrorism, promoting regional stability, and strengthening defence partnerships among member countries. Rajnath Singh is expected to reaffirm India’s steadfast commitment to the SCO’s founding principles and advocate for a collective approach to confronting terrorism and extremism.

During his address, the Defence Minister will outline India’s vision for regional peace and security, stressing the importance of mutual respect, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, principles central to the SCO’s framework. He is also likely to emphasise the need for expanded trade, connectivity, and economic integration within the bloc.

On the sidelines of the summit, Rajnath Singh will hold bilateral discussions with his counterparts from several member nations, including China and Russia, focusing on defence ties and regional security dynamics. India, which joined the SCO as a full member in 2017 and chaired the grouping in 2023, views the organisation as a vital platform for fostering multilateral cooperation in political, security, economic, and cultural spheres. The SCO, founded in 2001, currently comprises India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Belarus. China, which holds the chairmanship for 2025, is hosting the summit under the theme “Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move.”