India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Dong Jun, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ gathering in Bishkek on Tuesday.

The meeting formed part of a broader set of strategic engagements with regional leaders, aimed at addressing security challenges and strengthening cooperation.

Meetings with Regional Powers

During his visit, Singh also interacted with Russia’s Defence Minister, Andrei Belousov, underlining India’s continued engagement with key partners in the region.

He is expected to hold further bilateral discussions with defence ministers from other participating countries to advance mutual security interests.

Before beginning official talks, Singh paid tribute to fallen soldiers by laying a wreath at Victory Square in Bishkek, marking a solemn start to his engagements.

His arrival in the Kyrgyz capital on Monday was marked by a ceremonial welcome, including the offering of Borsok, a traditional Kyrgyz delicacy.

Focus on Regional Security

This year’s SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting is being held against the backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions, particularly the ongoing crisis in West Asia.

Defence leaders are expected to deliberate on issues including international peace, counter-terrorism cooperation, and regional stability.

India has reiterated its firm stance on global security challenges. Ahead of his visit, Singh stated that he would emphasise India’s commitment to peace while maintaining a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism and extremism.

SCO’s Growing Role

The SCO, comprising India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, and several Central Asian nations has evolved into one of the world’s largest regional organisations since its founding in 2001.

India, which became a full member in 2017, has played an increasingly active role, including holding the rotating chairmanship in 2023.

The grouping is expected to explore ways to mitigate the broader impact of current conflicts and enhance defence cooperation among member states.

(with inputs from Reuters)