New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will represent India at the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (CHG) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), scheduled to take place in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on October 19 and 20, 2026.
The high-level meeting will bring together representatives of SCO member states to discuss ways to strengthen multilateral cooperation, with particular emphasis on trade, economic development, investment, regional connectivity, innovation and cultural-humanitarian exchanges.
India’s participation comes as the country continues its engagement with various SCO mechanisms and promotes practical cooperation in emerging areas such as start-ups, digital public infrastructure and people-to-people exchanges.
Rajnath Singh to Represent India at 25th SCO CHG Meeting
Rajnath Singh will travel to Dushanbe to participate in the Council of Heads of Government meeting on behalf of India.
The Council of Heads of Government is an important decision-making forum within the SCO framework, particularly for discussions related to economic cooperation, multilateral programmes and the organisation’s administrative and financial functioning.
The October 19-20 meeting will provide an opportunity for participating countries to review existing cooperation arrangements and consider measures aimed at strengthening collaboration among member states.
For India, the meeting will also serve as a platform to exchange views on practical initiatives that can deliver mutual benefits across the region.
Trade, Investment and Connectivity Among Key Agenda Items
Economic and developmental cooperation will be a major focus of the 25th SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting.
Member states are expected to discuss opportunities for strengthening trade and investment partnerships, improving connectivity and encouraging cooperation in innovation.
The discussions will also cover cultural and humanitarian exchanges, reflecting the organisation’s emphasis on cooperation beyond traditional political and security issues.
Another important part of the meeting will involve reviewing progress on ongoing SCO initiatives. Participating countries are expected to consider decisions concerning the organisation’s financial arrangements and institutional functioning.
These deliberations are intended to support the implementation of existing cooperation programmes and identify opportunities for further collaboration.
India to Highlight Start-Ups, Innovation and Digital Public Infrastructure
India has remained actively engaged in several SCO mechanisms and continues to contribute to regional cooperation through initiatives focused on technology, innovation and people-to-people engagement.
Among the areas of particular interest are start-ups and innovation, where India has sought to encourage collaboration and the exchange of ideas.
Digital public infrastructure is another area in which India has been contributing to discussions on technology-driven development and practical cooperation.
The Dushanbe meeting will allow India to share its perspectives with other member states and explore ways to advance cooperation in these fields.
Focus on Practical and Mutually Beneficial Regional Cooperation
India’s participation at the meeting reflects its continued engagement with the SCO as a multilateral platform for regional dialogue and cooperation.
The meeting is expected to provide opportunities for member states to exchange views on ongoing initiatives, identify common priorities and discuss measures to strengthen partnerships.
For India, the emphasis will be on practical cooperation that can deliver mutual benefits, particularly in economic engagement, connectivity, innovation and exchanges between people and institutions.
The discussions will also offer an opportunity to assess the progress of SCO programmes and consider how cooperation mechanisms can be made more effective.
Previous SCO Heads of Government Meeting Held in Moscow in 2025
The previous meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government was held in Moscow, Russia, on November 18, 2025.
India was represented at that meeting by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar.
At the upcoming 25th meeting in Dushanbe, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will lead India’s participation, continuing the country’s representation at this important SCO forum.
The October 19-20 meeting is expected to further discussions on economic cooperation, regional connectivity, innovation and the institutional priorities of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
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