Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to represent India at SCO council meeting in Dushanbe
Rajnath Singh has departed for Dushanbe to attend the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation council, where India will promote multilateral cooperation on trade, connectivity and security.
Rajnath Singh heads to Dushanbe
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh left for Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on 19 October 2026 to represent India at the 25th meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government. The delegation arrives as the two‑day summit kicks off, marking India’s active participation in the region’s premier multilateral forum.
SCO council of heads of government meeting
The SCO council brings together the heads of government of its eight member states to review institutional and financial progress and to set the agenda for cooperation. According to the Defence Ministry, the meeting will focus on deepening ties in culture, connectivity, economy, innovation, investment and people‑to‑people exchanges.
Agenda highlights
Akashvani’s correspondent notes that the summit will also examine trade and investment prospects, infrastructure connectivity and joint innovation projects. The Defence Ministry says the forum offers India a chance to exchange views on practical, mutually beneficial cooperation and to reinforce regional security dialogue.
What India hopes to achieve
By sending the defence minister, the government signals that security considerations are integral to the broader SCO agenda. Officials expect the meeting to pave the way for concrete steps in trade, investment and cultural exchanges, while also allowing India to voice its perspective on the organisation’s financial and institutional functioning.
Looking ahead
The council’s conclusions will be discussed in subsequent SCO ministerial meetings, and India plans to build on any agreements reached in Dushanbe to further its regional connectivity projects and joint security initiatives. The delegation will return to New Delhi after the summit’s scheduled close on 20 October.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Meeting number | 25th | newsonair.gov.in |
| Location | Dushanbe, Tajikistan | newsonair.gov.in |
| Duration | Two days (19‑20 October 2026) | newsonair.gov.in |
| Focus areas | culture, connectivity, economy, innovation, investment, people‑to‑people ties | newsonair.gov.in |
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| Defence Ministry | Provided official statements on the meeting |
| Rajnath Singh | Defence Minister of India, leading the delegation |
| India | Member state represented by Rajnath Singh |
| Dushanbe | Capital city where the summit is held |
| Shanghai Cooperation Organisation | Regional multilateral body hosting the council |
| Tajikistan | Host country for the SCO council meeting |
