On June 26, 2025, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a series of important bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Belarus, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Qingdao, China.
The Defence Minister met with-
- Lt. General Victor Khrenin, Defence Minister of Belarus
- Lt. General Sobrizoda Emomali Abdurakhim, Defence Minister of Tajikistan
- Lt. General Dauren Kosanov, Defence Minister of Kazakhstan
These discussions underscored India’s intent to deepen regional defence partnerships and explore emerging avenues of cooperation.
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India Emphasizes Self-Reliance and Defence Innovation
During the meetings, Rajnath Singh highlighted India’s rapid progress in defence production and its focus on self-reliance (Aatmanirbharta). He invited collaboration in military technical cooperation, including co-development and co-production in various areas of defence manufacturing and technology sharing.
The Minister noted the need for sustained engagement and underlined the importance of capacity building, joint training, and military education as pillars of bilateral defence relations.
Briefing on Pahalgam Terror Attack and Operation Sindoor
The Raksha Mantri also took the opportunity to brief his counterparts about the recent terror attack in Pahalgam and the subsequent Operation Sindoor, launched by India to dismantle terror infrastructure and networks operating from Pakistan. He reaffirmed India’s resolve to combat terrorism and enhance regional security cooperation.
Commitment to Continued Defence Engagement
All three counterparts expressed solidarity with India on counter-terror efforts and reiterated their commitment to deepen defence engagement with India in the areas of:
- Capacity building
- Military training and education
- Technical cooperation
These meetings reflect India’s growing role in fostering regional security and collaboration within the framework of the SCO’s multilateral defence platform.
