New Delhi: India is set to participate in the upcoming Defence Ministers’ Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), scheduled to be held on April 28, 2026, in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The Indian delegation will be led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who is expected to engage with his counterparts on key regional and global security matters.
The Defence Ministers’ Meeting comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions, particularly due to the ongoing developments in West Asia. Against this backdrop, SCO member nations will discuss strategies to maintain regional stability and minimise the impact of global conflicts.
Defence Ministers’ Meeting: Focus on Peace, Cooperation and Counter-Terror Efforts
At the Defence Ministers’ Meeting, discussions will focus on strengthening defence cooperation, promoting international peace, and enhancing joint efforts to combat terrorism. India is expected to strongly reiterate its long-standing position of zero tolerance towards terrorism and extremism.
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In addition to multilateral discussions, the Defence Ministers’ Meeting will also provide an opportunity for bilateral engagements. Rajnath Singh is likely to hold separate meetings with defence ministers from participating countries to boost India’s strategic and defence partnerships.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, founded in 2001 in Shanghai, is one of the largest regional organisations, comprising countries such as India, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Belarus. India joined the grouping as a full member in 2017 and later assumed its rotating chairmanship in 2023.
With critical issues on the agenda, the Defence Ministers’ Meeting is expected to play a significant role in shaping coordinated responses to emerging global security challenges while reinforcing cooperation among SCO nations.