India participation in SCO summit in Tajikistan

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, in October 2026.

The summit focused on multilateral cooperation regarding trade, economy, connectivity, and innovation. During the proceedings, Singh engaged in bilateral discussions with officials from Tajikistan and Iran to discuss civilisational ties and regional links.

Singh advocated for a collective crackdown on terrorism, asserting that there is “no justification for terrorism” and “no double standards in dealing with it.” He called for the elimination of the terrorism ecosystem, including those providing financing or safe havens, to safeguard regional peace and development. He warned that terrorism undermines investment and trade while depriving youth of opportunities.

In addition to security concerns, Singh announced that India will host the inaugural SCO Civilisation Dialogue Forum by the end of 2026. This initiative, proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeks to strengthen cultural ties and people-to-people connections by sharing the heritage of ancient civilisations. Singh also emphasized the interconnectedness of security, connectivity, and opportunity, noting that security facilitates investment while connectivity drives trade. He expressed support for the SCO's Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation Programme for 2026–2030 and the need to address global challenges such as supply chain disruptions and energy security.