Defence Minister Rajnath Singh participated in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao on Thursday, becoming the first senior Indian minister to visit China since the military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) erupted in May 2020.
Singh landed in the eastern Chinese port city on Wednesday evening and was received at the airport by Indian Ambassador Pradeep Kumar Rawat. His presence at the SCO forum marks a significant diplomatic development as both countries cautiously work to restore functional ties after years of frozen engagement.
The military face-off, which lasted more than three years, saw gradual disengagement. It formally concluded with both sides withdrawing from the final two friction points at Depsang and Demchok in October 2023. That agreement came just two days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Kazan. There, they decided to revive the Special Representatives (SR) dialogue mechanism. In December, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval visited Beijing and met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to take this dialogue forward.
Now, Singh’s presence in Qingdao is seen as part of a cautious but clear Indian effort to re-engage through diplomacy—without backing away from core concerns.
“Looking forward to Present India’s vision”: Singh
Before leaving for China, Singh posted on X, “Today, 25th June, I shall be leaving for Qingdao, China, to take part in the Shanghai cooperation organisation (SCO) defence ministers’ meeting.”
He added, “I will have the opportunity to interact with various Defence Ministers on a wide range of issues. Looking forward to present India’s vision for global peace and security and also, call for joint and consistent efforts to eliminate terrorism.”
The remarks were a clear signal that India will continue using multilateral forums like the SCO to press its security priorities, especially on terrorism and extremism—issues where India has often found itself at odds with Pakistan, another SCO member.
Pushing for action on terror
In line with India's longstanding position, Singh is expected to call on SCO member states to adopt a united and firm approach against terrorism, extremism, and cross-border violence.
A Ministry of Defence press release said, "Raksha Mantri is expected to highlight India's continued commitment to the principles and mandate of the SCO, outline India's vision towards achieving greater international peace & security, call for joint & consistent efforts to eliminate terrorism & extremism in the region, and stress on the need for greater trade, economic cooperation and connectivity within SCO."
India has consistently used the SCO platform to raise its concerns about Pakistan-backed terrorism and to seek stronger cooperation against UN-proscribed terror groups operating in the region.
This year, Singh is also likely to bring up ongoing tensions in West Asia during his interactions with Chinese and Russian officials. These bilateral meetings are expected to be held on the sidelines of the summit.
Pakistan, China, and the SCO setting
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has also travelled to Qingdao and was received by China’s Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun. China is hosting the SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting as the current Chair of the organisation, under the theme “Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move.”
India remains wary of China’s ambitions in the region—particularly through projects like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)—which it has refused to endorse. However, New Delhi sees strategic utility in the SCO, particularly in engaging Central Asia, maintaining ties with Russia, and managing its delicate relationships with China and Pakistan.
Why the SCO is important for India
Founded in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, the SCO has expanded to include India, Pakistan (2017), and more recently Iran and Belarus. It is now a regional forum of ten full members, covering political, security, and economic interests.
India sees the SCO as a critical diplomatic space to:
At the same time, it provides a buffer—however limited—to navigate tensions with Beijing and Islamabad within a multilateral setting.
Singh’s presence in China, after years of strained relations, is a deliberate step—but it comes with clear expectations. India wants the SCO to move beyond rhetoric when it comes to terrorism. It is also looking to assert its own regional vision—of open, rules-based cooperation—without being pulled into a China-centric model of influence.
The Defence Ministers’ meeting is expected to conclude with a joint declaration. Whether or not it reflects India’s demands remains to be seen. But New Delhi’s message is unlikely to be missed.
Singh landed in the eastern Chinese port city on Wednesday evening and was received at the airport by Indian Ambassador Pradeep Kumar Rawat. His presence at the SCO forum marks a significant diplomatic development as both countries cautiously work to restore functional ties after years of frozen engagement.
The military face-off, which lasted more than three years, saw gradual disengagement. It formally concluded with both sides withdrawing from the final two friction points at Depsang and Demchok in October 2023. That agreement came just two days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Kazan. There, they decided to revive the Special Representatives (SR) dialogue mechanism. In December, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval visited Beijing and met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to take this dialogue forward.
Now, Singh’s presence in Qingdao is seen as part of a cautious but clear Indian effort to re-engage through diplomacy—without backing away from core concerns.
“Looking forward to Present India’s vision”: Singh
Before leaving for China, Singh posted on X, “Today, 25th June, I shall be leaving for Qingdao, China, to take part in the Shanghai cooperation organisation (SCO) defence ministers’ meeting.”
He added, “I will have the opportunity to interact with various Defence Ministers on a wide range of issues. Looking forward to present India’s vision for global peace and security and also, call for joint and consistent efforts to eliminate terrorism.”
The remarks were a clear signal that India will continue using multilateral forums like the SCO to press its security priorities, especially on terrorism and extremism—issues where India has often found itself at odds with Pakistan, another SCO member.
Pushing for action on terror
In line with India's longstanding position, Singh is expected to call on SCO member states to adopt a united and firm approach against terrorism, extremism, and cross-border violence.
A Ministry of Defence press release said, "Raksha Mantri is expected to highlight India's continued commitment to the principles and mandate of the SCO, outline India's vision towards achieving greater international peace & security, call for joint & consistent efforts to eliminate terrorism & extremism in the region, and stress on the need for greater trade, economic cooperation and connectivity within SCO."
India has consistently used the SCO platform to raise its concerns about Pakistan-backed terrorism and to seek stronger cooperation against UN-proscribed terror groups operating in the region.
This year, Singh is also likely to bring up ongoing tensions in West Asia during his interactions with Chinese and Russian officials. These bilateral meetings are expected to be held on the sidelines of the summit.
Pakistan, China, and the SCO setting
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has also travelled to Qingdao and was received by China’s Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun. China is hosting the SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting as the current Chair of the organisation, under the theme “Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move.”
India remains wary of China’s ambitions in the region—particularly through projects like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)—which it has refused to endorse. However, New Delhi sees strategic utility in the SCO, particularly in engaging Central Asia, maintaining ties with Russia, and managing its delicate relationships with China and Pakistan.
Why the SCO is important for India
Founded in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, the SCO has expanded to include India, Pakistan (2017), and more recently Iran and Belarus. It is now a regional forum of ten full members, covering political, security, and economic interests.
India sees the SCO as a critical diplomatic space to:
- Advance regional counter-terrorism cooperation
- Push for a more balanced, multipolar security framework
- Deepen engagement with Central Asian nations
- Support infrastructure goals like the International North-South Transport Corridor and Chabahar Port
At the same time, it provides a buffer—however limited—to navigate tensions with Beijing and Islamabad within a multilateral setting.
Singh’s presence in China, after years of strained relations, is a deliberate step—but it comes with clear expectations. India wants the SCO to move beyond rhetoric when it comes to terrorism. It is also looking to assert its own regional vision—of open, rules-based cooperation—without being pulled into a China-centric model of influence.
The Defence Ministers’ meeting is expected to conclude with a joint declaration. Whether or not it reflects India’s demands remains to be seen. But New Delhi’s message is unlikely to be missed.
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