Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is currently in Qingdao, China, to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' Meeting, scheduled for June 25-26, 2025. Singh's participation marks the first visit by an Indian Union Minister to China since the military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh began in May 2020, signaling a potential thaw in relations amidst ongoing tensions.
Singh, in a statement prior to his departure, expressed his anticipation to present India's vision for global peace and security at the conclave. He also emphasized the need for collective action against terrorism, a key priority for India within the SCO framework.
The SCO Defence Ministers' Meeting is expected to cover a range of critical issues, including regional and international peace and security, counter-terrorism efforts, and enhanced cooperation among the defense ministries of SCO member states. Singh is expected to highlight India's unwavering commitment to the SCO's principles and mandate, outlining India's vision for enhanced regional cooperation in combating terrorism and extremism. He is also likely to stress the importance of deeper trade, economic collaboration, and improved connectivity within the SCO framework.
India places significant importance on the SCO as a platform for promoting multilateralism, political, security, economic, and people-to-people interactions within the region. The SCO's operational principles are rooted in the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations, non-interference in internal affairs, mutual respect, understanding, and equality among all member states.
In addition to addressing the plenary session, Singh is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from several participating nations, including China and Russia. Discussions with the Chinese Defence Minister, Admiral Dong Jun, will be particularly significant, marking their first meeting since Operation Sindoor. These discussions are expected to cover progress on troop disengagement along the LAC and remaining border disputes, along with broader regional security concerns. Meetings with other counterparts will aim to bolster defense cooperation and address shared security challenges.
The SCO, established in 2001, is a Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance. India became a full member in 2017 and assumed the rotating chairmanship in 2023. The organization includes Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Belarus. China has assumed the Chair of the SCO for 2025, with the theme 'Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move'.
India actively utilizes the SCO to voice concerns regarding cross-border terrorism, particularly from Pakistan, and to advocate for action against UN-proscribed terror groups. The forum also allows New Delhi to promote its vision of a free, open, and inclusive regional order, potentially counterbalancing China-led narratives.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is also in China for a meeting of SCO national security chiefs. The series of high-level meetings underscores India's commitment to the SCO and its desire to play a proactive role in shaping the regional security landscape. The outcomes of these discussions are expected to contribute significantly to the agenda of the SCO Foreign Ministers' Meeting next month and the SCO Summit in Tianjin at the end of August.
