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Rajnath Singh to Represent India at SCO Meeting in Tajikistan

Rajnath Singh to Represent India at SCO Meeting in Tajikistan

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, to represent India at the 25th meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), scheduled for October 19 and 20, 2026. The discussions are expected to cover trade, investment, transport links, new technology and cultural exchanges among member countries.

The meeting will also review existing cooperation projects and consider matters linked to the organisation’s finances and working arrangements. India is expected to exchange views with other members on ways to expand economic ties and improve cooperation between their governments.

Rajnath Singh’s visit comes at a time when the SCO is seeking closer links among countries across Asia and neighbouring regions. The meeting in Dushanbe allows India to discuss shared economic interests through a group that includes China, Russia, Central Asian countries and other regional partners.

Founded in Shanghai on June 15, 2001, the SCO began with six countries: China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan became full members in 2017. Iran joined in 2023, followed by Belarus in 2024, taking the total number of members to 10.

The organisation works on trade and economic growth, transport, science, education, energy, tourism and cultural ties. It also supports cooperation on regional security, including efforts against terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking. Its members have different political systems and economic interests, so reaching common decisions requires discussion between their governments.

The SCO has two main councils. The Council of Heads of State sets the organisation’s broad direction, while the Council of Heads of Government deals with economic cooperation and other practical matters. The latter meets once a year and also approves the organisation’s annual budget. The Dushanbe meeting will follow this process.

Trade, investment and connectivity are among the main subjects listed for the October meeting. Better transport links can help businesses move goods across borders, while simpler trade procedures can reduce delays for companies working in several countries.

The SCO has discussed these issues in earlier meetings. At the 24th meeting of the Council of Heads of Government, held in Moscow on November 18, 2025, members discussed economic cooperation and adopted decisions linked to multilateral trade, railway transport, social development and social protection. They also approved the organisation’s budget for the following year.

These earlier decisions give the Dushanbe meeting a clear set of issues to follow up. Member countries will need to review progress on existing plans and consider where further cooperation is possible. The Indian government has not listed specific agreements that Singh is expected to sign during the visit.

India’s work within the SCO covers several areas, including start-ups, innovation, digital public infrastructure and exchanges between people. Digital public infrastructure refers to shared digital systems that help people and businesses use services such as payments and identity checks.

Cooperation in these fields could give member countries opportunities to share experience and discuss practical ways to support businesses and public services. Trade and investment talks may also help officials identify barriers faced by companies operating across national borders.

India’s participation also allows it to put forward its views directly in discussions with other member countries. The SCO includes major economies as well as countries in Central Asia, a region that connects parts of Asia with Europe. Cooperation on transport and trade can therefore matter to businesses seeking access to new markets.

The previous meeting, held in Moscow on November 18, 2025, was attended by External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar on India’s behalf. Rajnath Singh’s participation in the 25th meeting marks India’s representation at the next round of talks, which is being held in Tajikistan.

The two-day meeting is expected to review ongoing projects and consider the SCO’s financial and institutional work. These matters may receive less public attention than trade announcements, but they affect how the organisation carries out its plans and manages its activities.

For India and the other members, the main test will be whether discussions lead to steps that governments can put into practice. The meeting’s stated agenda covers several areas, but the outcome will depend on the decisions reached by participating countries.

Dushanbe will host the 25th meeting as the SCO continues its annual process of talks among member governments. The results will show which areas of cooperation members are ready to take forward and what work remains before earlier commitments can produce practical results.