At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Qingdao, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reaffirmed India’s unwavering commitment to peace, security, and stability in Afghanistan, describing India as Afghanistan’s largest regional development partner.
“India has been consistent and steadfast in its support for peace, security and stability in Afghanistan. Our immediate priorities include providing humanitarian assistance and contributing to the country’s overall developmental needs,” Singh stated.
Singh called for greater unity and cooperation among SCO member states, urging enhanced collaboration to tackle shared threats such as terrorism, cyber-attacks, and hybrid warfare.
“India supports greater cooperation and mutual trust among SCO members… We must act in lockstep to strengthen security and stability in our neighbourhood,” he noted.
Highlighting India’s efforts to enhance connectivity with Central Asia, Singh stressed that such efforts must respect sovereignty and territorial integrity, core principles of the SCO Charter.
The Defence Minister outlined India’s civilisational ethos, invoking the ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ philosophy—“the world is one family”—as the basis for a shared global future.
“Mutual understanding and mutual benefit must guide us,” he said, advocating reformed multilateralism as the path to sustained cooperation.
Reinforcing India’s support for multilateralism, Singh added: “No country, however large and powerful, can manage global challenges alone. We must work together for mutual and collective benefit.”
Singh is expected to hold bilateral meetings with counterparts from China, Russia, and other participating countries. The Ministry of Defence said India will also highlight its commitment to the SCO’s core principles, and continue advocating for expanded trade, defence cooperation, and regional connectivity.
India, a full SCO member since 2017, held the rotating Chairmanship in 2023. The SCO, established in 2001, includes India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Central Asian nations, Iran, and Belarus. China currently chairs the SCO under the theme “Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move.”
