Daijiworld Media Network- Qingdao
Qingdao, Jun 26: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Qingdao, China on Thursday to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting, set to be held from June 25 to 26. Singh was warmly received by Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun at the venue.
Marking the start of the high-profile multilateral engagement, Rajnath Singh, along with Admiral Dong Jun and other defence chiefs from SCO member states, posed for a formal group photograph ahead of the official proceedings.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also arrived at the venue shortly after Rajnath Singh’s entry, signalling the presence of all key defence representatives for the two-day strategic dialogue.
The SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting will delve into crucial discussions surrounding regional and international security, counter-terrorism measures, and deepening defence cooperation among member states. The summit assumes significance in light of growing geopolitical uncertainties and security challenges in Asia.
In an official press note, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) highlighted that Rajnath Singh is expected to reiterate India’s steadfast commitment to the core principles of the SCO and its vision for promoting lasting peace and security in the region. Emphasis will be laid on collective and sustained action to combat terrorism and extremism, alongside calls for enhanced trade, economic collaboration, and infrastructural connectivity.
Singh is also slated to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from participating countries, including China and Russia, on the sidelines of the summit.
“SCO has emerged as a vital platform for fostering multilateralism, mutual respect, and people-to-people connectivity,” the Defence Ministry stated. India has remained an active contributor to SCO’s mission of upholding sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, and maintaining regional stability.
Established in 2001, the SCO is a prominent intergovernmental organisation comprising India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus. India became a full member in 2017 and held the rotating Chairmanship in 2023.
China currently holds the SCO chair for 2025, advancing its agenda under the theme “Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move.”