Rajnath Singh Attends SCO Defence Ministers' Meeting in Qingdao, China
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Qingdao, China, on Thursday morning to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' Meeting scheduled from June 25 to 26. He was warmly received by Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun at the venue, marking the beginning of a crucial multilateral engagement between key regional powers.
Soon after his arrival, Rajnath Singh joined Admiral Dong Jun and other defence leaders for a group photograph that symbolised unity and cooperation within the SCO framework. The visual reinforced the spirit of diplomacy and engagement among member nations despite ongoing geopolitical complexities. Notably, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also arrived shortly after Singh, signaling potential opportunities for dialogue and regional military diplomacy.
The SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting brings together key defence representatives from member states including India, China, Russia, Pakistan, and Central Asian nations like Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, as well as newer members Iran and Belarus. The summit serves as a platform to strengthen regional cooperation in the areas of defence, counter-terrorism, and international security.
According to a statement released by India’s Ministry of Defence, Rajnath Singh is expected to articulate India’s strong commitment to the foundational principles of the SCO, particularly its focus on sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference in internal affairs. The Defence Minister will also outline India’s broader vision for enhancing international peace and security, urging collective and persistent efforts to root out terrorism and extremism from the region.
India is expected to use the platform to reaffirm its call for deeper economic collaboration, increased connectivity, and enhanced cooperation in defence and strategic matters. The Defence Ministry’s statement emphasized the importance of continued dialogue and mutual understanding to confront emerging security challenges. “The Defence Ministry will highlight India’s continued commitment to the SCO mandate, stress the need for joint action against terrorism, and advocate for expanded economic cooperation,” the statement noted.
Rajnath Singh is also expected to hold several bilateral meetings with his counterparts on the sidelines of the main summit. Notably, he may engage in dialogue with the Chinese Defence Minister and Russian Defence Minister, with whom India shares important, albeit complex, strategic ties. These sideline discussions are seen as vital in addressing any outstanding bilateral defence issues and enhancing military-to-military cooperation.
The theme for this year’s SCO summit, hosted by China, is “Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move.” This phrase encapsulates the organization’s core principles of mutual respect, equality, and cooperation among sovereign states. China assumed the rotating Chairmanship of the SCO for 2025, taking over from India, which held the role in 2023. India’s tenure was marked by an emphasis on inclusive multilateralism and regional stability.
The SCO, originally established in 2001, has grown significantly in both scope and membership. It was primarily created to address regional security concerns, particularly terrorism, separatism, and extremism. Over the years, it has evolved into a comprehensive regional organization that also focuses on economic development, cultural exchange, and scientific collaboration.
India became a full member of the SCO in 2017 and has since played an active role in promoting its objectives. Under its Chairmanship in 2023, India hosted several high-level meetings, reaffirming its support for multilateral approaches to regional and global challenges.
The participation of India in the Qingdao meeting holds special significance amid tense India-China border relations and ongoing global strategic realignments. Despite friction on the Line of Actual Control (LAC), both nations have maintained diplomatic and military channels of communication, with platforms like SCO offering neutral ground for engagement.
India's presence at the SCO meeting also sends a signal of continuity and cooperation to its Central Asian partners. These nations, situated in a geopolitically sensitive region, are increasingly looking to balance relations with major powers, and India has emerged as a preferred partner for economic and strategic collaboration.
This year’s meeting is particularly notable due to the presence of Iran and Belarus as new members. Their inclusion is seen as an attempt to broaden the organization’s geopolitical footprint and create new avenues for cooperation in West Asia and Eastern Europe. With the inclusion of these members, the SCO now spans across South Asia, Central Asia, East Asia, and parts of the Middle East and Europe, making it one of the largest regional organizations in terms of geographic reach.
As the Defence Ministers deliberate over key issues of regional security, India’s role in shaping the outcomes of the summit will be closely watched. Rajnath Singh’s emphasis on anti-terrorism cooperation, respect for sovereignty, and the need for greater defence diplomacy could align with the broader goals of the SCO and promote stability in the Eurasian region.
While the primary agenda of the summit revolves around cooperation in security and defence, the underlying tone will also reflect the aspirations of member nations to create a multipolar world order driven by equitable partnerships, shared responsibility, and regional solidarity.
Reference From: www.ndtv.com