25 June, 2025:
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to depart for Qingdao, China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' Meeting scheduled for June 25–26. He stated that he looks forward to presenting India's vision for global peace and security, while also emphasizing the need for collective and sustained efforts to combat terrorism.
The minister said he will present India’s vision for global peace and security at the two-day meeting in China's coastal city Qingdao. This marks the first visit by an Indian minister to China in five years following the military standoff along the Ladakh border in 2020.
In a statement shared on X, Rajnath Singh stated, "Today, 25th June, I shall be leaving for Qingdao, China, to take part in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' Meeting. I will have the opportunity to interact with various Defence Ministers on a wide range of issues. Looking forward to present India's vision for global peace and security and also, call for joint and consistent efforts to eliminate terrorism."
During the meeting, the leaders are expected to deliberate on a range of issues, including regional and global peace and security, counter-terrorism initiatives, and enhanced cooperation among the Defence Ministries of SCO member states.
In a press release, Ministry of Defence stated, "Raksha Mantri is expected to highlight India's continued commitment to the principles and mandate of the SCO, outline India's vision towards achieving greater international peace & security, call for joint & consistent efforts to eliminate terrorism & extremism in the region, and stress on the need for greater trade, economic cooperation and connectivity within SCO. He will also hold bilateral meetings with the Defence Ministers of some participating countries, including China and Russia, on the sidelines of the meeting."
The Ministry of Defence highlighted that India places special importance on the SCO for advancing multilateralism and fostering political, security, economic, and people-to-people engagement in the region. It further stated, "SCO pursues its policy based on the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity of nations, non-interference in internal affairs, mutual respect, understanding and equality of all member states."
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is an intergovernmental body founded in 2001. India became a full member in 2017 and held the rotating Chairmanship in 2023. The SCO comprises India, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Belarus. China has taken over the Chairmanship for 2025 under the theme "Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move."
