Desk Report
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh represented India at the 25th Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on October 19 and 20. In his address on October 20, the Defence Minister called for the complete dismantling of the entire terrorism ecosystem, including those who finance terrorism, support it or provide it safe havens. India also announced that it will host the first SCO Civilisation Dialogue Forum by the end of 2026.
India’s Representation at the CHG Summit
The CHG is the SCO’s council of heads of government, where member states are represented by their government heads or their nominees. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh led the Indian delegation at the two-day meeting in Dushanbe. Over the two days, leaders of member states deliberated on multilateral trade, economic cooperation and regional stability. India extended its support to the SCO’s multilateral trade and economic cooperation action plan for 2026-2030, which is expected to give fresh direction to economic collaboration within the organisation.
A Blunt Message on Terrorism
In his October 20 address, Rajnath Singh delivered a clear and firm message on terrorism. He said the fight against terrorism would remain incomplete until its entire ecosystem is destroyed — the financiers, the supporters and those who offer safe havens to terrorists. He stressed that every element sustaining terrorism must be acted upon. Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar was also present at the meeting, though the Defence Minister did not name Pakistan in his address, nor did he issue any direct warning to any country. No immediate official reaction from Pakistan was forthcoming on the statement.
Major Announcement: First SCO Civilisation Dialogue Forum
India also made a significant announcement during the meeting: it will host the first SCO Civilisation Dialogue Forum by the end of 2026. The forum aims to promote civilisational dialogue, cultural exchange and mutual understanding among member states. The initiative is seen as an important step towards deepening cultural and people-to-people contacts within the SCO, and is expected to give new strength to the centuries-old historical and cultural ties among member nations.
Bilateral Meetings on the Sidelines
On the sidelines of the Dushanbe visit, Rajnath Singh held several bilateral meetings. He met Tajikistan’s Defence Minister Emomali Sobirzoda and discussed strengthening defence cooperation between the two countries. India and Tajikistan share a long history of defence ties, and both sides discussed new areas of collaboration. The Defence Minister also met Tajikistan’s Prime Minister Qohir Rosulzoda and Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref, where issues of mutual interest and regional cooperation were discussed. The meeting with the Iranian Vice President is also considered significant given the importance of continued dialogue between the two countries in the regional geopolitical landscape.
Tribute to Mahatma Gandhi
During his stay in Dushanbe, Rajnath Singh paid floral tributes at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi. Paying homage to the Father of the Nation during foreign visits has been an established tradition of Indian foreign policy, and the Defence Minister upheld the tradition on this visit as well. Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals remain a global symbol of peace and non-violence.
India’s Growing Role in the SCO
Over the past few years, India’s engagement with the SCO platform has steadily deepened — on security, trade, energy and culture, India has contributed to shaping the organisation’s agenda. The tough stand on terrorism at Dushanbe, combined with support for the economic cooperation action plan and the announcement of hosting the Civilisation Dialogue Forum, reflects this active and balanced role. Attention will now turn to the first SCO Civilisation Dialogue Forum in India towards the end of 2026, where participation from the cultural and academic worlds of member states is expected to add new depth to the organisation’s human dimension.
What Next
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh left for Delhi on October 21. Following the Dushanbe meeting, member states will take forward work on the SCO’s 2026-2030 economic cooperation action plan, while the first Civilisation Dialogue Forum to be hosted by India is being seen as an event that will take the organisation’s cultural agenda to new heights.
Disclaimer: This news is prepared on the basis of available sources and verification. Corrections will be published if any fact is found to be in error.
