SCO Summit 2026 : India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to arrive in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, to participate in the upcoming Defence Ministers’ meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Scheduled for April 28, the meeting will see Singh leading the Indian delegation at this important multilateral platform.
Focus on Regional Security and Cooperation
The SCO meeting is expected to bring together defence leaders from member nations to deliberate on key issues related to regional security, peace, and strategic cooperation. India is likely to reiterate its firm stance on terrorism, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy and calling for stronger collective efforts to combat the threat.
Who Are the SCO Members?
The SCO comprises major regional players including India, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Belarus. Discussions will focus on strengthening international peace and developing joint strategies to tackle terrorism, along with enhancing defence collaboration among member states.
Geopolitical Tensions Add Urgency
The backdrop of rising tensions between Iran and the United States has heightened the significance of this meeting. The ongoing strain in West Asia is likely to feature in discussions, with member countries expected to explore ways to reduce the impact of the crisis and maintain regional stability.
Limited Scope for India-Pakistan Engagement
Despite both nations being part of the SCO, no bilateral engagement is expected between India and Pakistan during the event. Relations between the two countries have remained tense, particularly after the developments following Operation Sindoor.
About the SCO
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation was established on June 15, 2001, in Shanghai. It has since emerged as one of the key regional organizations focusing on political, economic, and security cooperation in Asia. India became a full member in 2017 and later assumed the rotating chairmanship in 2023.