Rajnath Singh to talk tough on terror at upcoming SCO defence ministers' meet in China

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will hold bilateral talks with the defence ministers of China and Russia on the sidelines of the upcoming two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting, scheduled to be held on Wednesday and Thursday.

 

Singh will be leading a high-level Indian delegation at the SCO defence ministers' meeting to be held in Qingdao, China.

 

Apart from India, the SCO member countries include Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran and Belarus. China is hosting the meeting in its capacity as the current chair of the organisation.

 

During the meeting, which comes weeks after the India-Pakistan military standoff following the precision strikes on the terror infrastructures in Pakistani territories in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, the defence minister is expected to focus special attention on combating terrorism and seek the cooperation of participating ministers for the same.

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The defence ministry said Singh will outline India’s vision towards achieving greater international peace and security, call for joint and consistent efforts to eliminate terrorism and extremism in the region.

 

The defence minister is also expected to highlight India's continued commitment to the principles and mandate of the SCO, and stress on the need for greater trade and economic cooperation and connectivity within SCO.

 

"India attaches special importance to SCO in promoting multi-lateralism, political, security, economic and people-to-people interactions in the region. SCO pursues its policy based on the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity of nations, non-interference in internal affairs, mutual respect, understanding and equality of all member states," the defence ministry said in a statement.

Defence