June 24,2025
What happened?
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will lead a high-level Indian delegation to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Qingdao, China, from June 25 to 26, 2025. Defence Ministers at the meeting are expected to discuss regional and international peace and security, counter-terrorism efforts, and cooperation among SCO member states’ Ministries of Defence. Rajnath Singh is expected to highlight India’s commitment to the SCO’s principles and mandate, present India’s vision for global peace and security, call for joint efforts to eliminate terrorism and extremism, and stress the need for greater trade, economic cooperation, and connectivity within the SCO. He will also hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from some participating countries, including China and Russia. The SCO is an inter-governmental organisation established in 2001, with India becoming a full member in 2017 and assuming the rotating Chairmanship in 2023. China has assumed the Chair of the SCO for 2025.
Why it matters to India
India attaches special importance to the SCO for promoting multilateralism, political, security, economic, and people-to-people interactions in the region. Rajnath Singh’s participation underscores India’s commitment to enhancing regional stability and security through collaborative efforts against terrorism and extremism, which are critical for India’s national security interests. The emphasis on greater trade, economic cooperation, and connectivity within the SCO aligns with India’s economic growth objectives and its push for regional integration. Bilateral meetings with key strategic partners like China and Russia on the sidelines of the summit are vital for addressing specific defence and security concerns and strengthening these important relationships.