Defense Minister Rajnath Singh Heads to Tajikistan for SCO Meeting

Dushanbe, October 19 (Daily Kiran) : Defense Minister Rajnath Singh departed from New Delhi on Monday morning, heading to Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. He is set to represent India at the 25th meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Heads of State Council, scheduled for October 19 and 20.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the event, Singh stated that the meeting will focus on strengthening cooperation among SCO member countries. Key agenda items include trade, economy, investment, connectivity, innovation, and cultural exchanges.

In addition to discussing these topics, member nations will review the progress of existing collaborative initiatives. The meeting will also address issues related to the organization’s financial management and institutional operations. This gathering presents an opportunity for member states to enhance practical cooperation in various fields, aiming to strengthen synergies that benefit all involved.

India has been actively participating in various SCO frameworks. The country has initiated projects to promote regional cooperation, focusing on innovation, digital public infrastructure, and enhancing interpersonal connections. During the Dushanbe meeting, India will exchange ideas with other member nations and explore pathways to advance cooperation on mutual interests. The last SCO Heads of State Council meeting took place in Moscow on November 18, 2025, where India was represented by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar. This time, Rajnath Singh will take the lead for India.

The SCO serves as a significant international platform for regional collaboration. The upcoming meeting will primarily discuss economic cooperation and organizational operations. The focus will remain on enhancing cooperation among member states and reviewing the progress of shared initiatives. According to the Defense Ministry, the aim of this meeting is to promote multilateral cooperation among member countries, reviewing ongoing initiatives across various sectors.

Discussions will emphasize enhancing cooperation from trade to innovation. The Defense Ministry highlighted that this crucial meeting will address strengthening trade, economy, investment, connectivity, innovation, and cultural collaboration among SCO member states. Decisions regarding the organization’s financial and institutional operations will also be considered. The Dushanbe meeting will provide India an opportunity to share views on regional cooperation issues with other SCO member nations, with the primary goal of advancing practical measures that benefit all member states.