Rajnath Singh to attend SCO Defence Ministers’ meet in Bishkek amid heightened regional security concerns

New Delhi, April 27. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will head an Indian delegation to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting scheduled to be held in Bishkek on April 28, where regional security and defence cooperation will top the agenda.

The meeting, hosted by Kyrgyzstan, will bring together defence ministers from SCO member states to deliberate on a range of issues concerning regional peace and stability. Key discussions are expected to focus on counter-terrorism efforts, strengthening defence collaboration, and addressing broader security challenges confronting the region.

This year’s deliberations come at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions arising from the ongoing instability in West Asia. As one of the world’s largest political and economic groupings, the SCO is likely to examine ways to mitigate the spillover effects of the conflict and promote regional stability.

During the meeting, Singh is expected to reiterate India’s commitment to global peace and security, while firmly underscoring New Delhi’s long-standing position of zero tolerance towards terrorism and extremism. On the sidelines of the event, the Defence Minister is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from participating countries.

Founded on June 15, 2001, in Shanghai, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation comprises India, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran and Belarus. India became a full member of the grouping in 2017 and held its rotating chairmanship in 2023.