Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will head a high-level Indian delegation at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' Meeting, set to take place in Qingdao, China, on June 25–26, 2025. According to a statement from the Ministry of Defence, Singh is also scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with several of his counterparts, notably from China and Russia, on the sidelines of the summit.
The meeting will bring together defence ministers from all SCO member states to deliberate on key issues including regional and global peace, counter-terrorism efforts, and enhanced collaboration among the defence establishments of member nations. The agenda reflects the growing urgency for joint approaches to emerging security challenges and cross-border threats.
During the summit, Rajnath Singh is expected to reaffirm India’s commitment to the SCO’s founding principles—respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, and equality among states. He will also outline India’s strategic vision for regional peace and stability, advocate for stronger and coordinated action against terrorism and extremism, and promote deeper cooperation in trade, connectivity, and economic integration.
India has been a full member of the SCO since 2017 and held the chairmanship in 2023. It views the platform as crucial for fostering multilateral dialogue, regional security, economic collaboration, and people-to-people engagement. Established in 2001, the SCO currently includes China, India, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Belarus. China holds the rotating chair for 2025 under the theme “Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move.”
Singh’s participation, especially his bilateral meetings with China and Russia, is seen as a key step in furthering India’s regional security agenda and reinforcing its role as a proactive and constructive member of the SCO.