India’s Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, held high-level bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Belarus, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Russia on June 26, 2025, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Qingdao, China.
In conversations with Lieutenant General Victor Khrenin (Belarus), Lieutenant General Sobrizoda Emomali Abdurakhim (Tajikistan), and Lieutenant General Dauren Kosanov (Kazakhstan), the Raksha Mantri emphasised India’s defence self-reliance and growing indigenous production. Discussions revolved around military technical cooperation, training, education, and capacity building. The leaders agreed to explore new areas of collaboration in light of India’s defence modernisation drive.
A key point of deliberation was the recent Pahalgam terror attack and India’s robust response through Operation Sindoor. Shri Rajnath Singh briefed his counterparts on the ongoing efforts to dismantle cross-border terror networks, underscoring the need for regional synergy in combating terrorism.
A separate, high-profile meeting with Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov covered broader strategic issues. Minister Belousov strongly condemned the Pahalgam attack and reiterated Russia’s steadfast support for India’s counterterrorism measures.
Critical defence hardware procurement and modernization were also discussed. The dialogue included accelerated timelines for the delivery of the S-400 air defence systems, upgrades of Su-30 MKI fighter jets, and procurement of air-to-air missile systems. Both sides expressed keen interest in enhancing co-development efforts and bolstering existing military platforms.
These engagements highlighted India’s proactive defence diplomacy and its pivotal role within the SCO framework amid an evolving geopolitical landscape.
