Rajnath Singh to Lead India’s Representation at 25th SCO Heads of Government Meeting

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will represent India at the 25th meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) Council of Heads of Government in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on October 19 and 20, with trade, investment, economic cooperation and regional connectivity expected to feature prominently on the agenda.

The two-day meeting will bring together member countries to review ongoing cooperation initiatives and explore ways to strengthen economic ties, innovation, connectivity and cultural exchanges. Discussions are also expected to cover the organisation’s financial and institutional functioning.

India is expected to use the forum to exchange views with other member states on expanding practical cooperation in areas such as startups, digital public infrastructure, innovation and people-to-people exchanges. The meeting comes as the SCO continues to serve as a platform for regional engagement on economic and security-related issues across Eurasia.

Singh’s participation will underline India’s continued engagement with the organisation’s multilateral mechanisms. The meeting will also provide an opportunity for member states to assess progress on existing initiatives and consider decisions aimed at improving the bloc’s institutional functioning.

The previous meeting of the Council of Heads of Government was held in Moscow on November 18, 2025, where External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar represented India.

Established in Shanghai in 2001, the SCO initially comprised China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan became permanent members in 2017, while Iran and Belarus have since joined the organisation, expanding its regional reach.

The bloc has developed into a major platform for economic and security cooperation, bringing together countries with significant populations, resources and strategic influence.

Singh last participated in an SCO defence ministers’ meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, in April 2026. His visit to Dushanbe will continue India’s engagement with the grouping as member states seek to deepen cooperation on shared regional and economic priorities.