Defence Minister Rajnath Singh To Represent India At SCO Council Of Heads Of Government Meeting In Tajikistan

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will represent India at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on 19-20 October.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to participate virtually in the two-day gathering, which takes place under Tajikistan's SCO chairmanship for 2026.

The meeting will focus on practical cooperation amongst member states, particularly in trade, investment, transport and logistics, industrial cooperation, digital and creative economy, innovation and financial interaction. Social, cultural and humanitarian cooperation will also feature on the agenda.

The Council of Heads of Government is primarily focused on economic and practical cooperation within the SCO framework.

During his visit to Dushanbe, Singh is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with Tajik officials.

The discussions are expected to provide an opportunity to review India-Tajikistan relations and explore avenues for further cooperation.

The visit comes at a consequential moment, as both countries compete for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for 2028-29, with elections scheduled for June 2027.

The SCO brings together India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran and Belarus.

India's representation by the Defence Minister is notable, as the External Affairs Minister has generally represented New Delhi at this forum, while the Prime Minister typically attends the SCO Council of Heads of State summit.

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