Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting held on June 26, 2025, in Qingdao, China:
Key Highlights
- Host & Venue: The 22nd meeting was chaired by Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun in Qingdao, under China’s 2025 rotating presidency.
- Participants: Defence ministers from all ten full SCO member states attended, including India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Belarus, and Central Asian nations.
- Agenda: Discussions focused on regional security, counter-terrorism cooperation, joint military preparedness, and strategic communication.
India’s Position
- Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh delivered a strong message on terrorism, emphasizing that “peace and prosperity cannot co-exist with terrorism”.
- He highlighted the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, calling for accountability of cross-border terrorism sponsors.
- Due to lack of consensus—particularly opposition from Pakistan and China—India refused to sign the joint declaration, a rare move in SCO history.
Bilateral Engagements
- Singh held constructive talks with Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun, stressing the need to avoid new complications in India-China relations.
- He also met with counterparts from Russia and Belarus, but no bilateral talks were held with Pakistan or Iran.
Broader Themes
- The meeting underscored the importance of the “Shanghai Spirit”—mutual trust, equality, and respect for cultural diversity.
- SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev emphasized deepening military cooperation, including joint exercises and military-medical collaboration.
