- Regional agenda: Trade, investment and economic cooperation to figure prominently in deliberations
- Connectivity push: SCO members to discuss stronger regional links and innovation
- Institutional review: Meeting to consider the organisation’s financial and administrative functioning
- India’s engagement: New Delhi to highlight innovation, digital public infrastructure and people-to-people exchanges
NE DEFENCE BUREAU
NEW DELHI, OCTOBER 18
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will represent India at the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (CHG) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on October 19–20, with discussions set to focus on expanding regional cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity, innovation and economic development.
The meeting will bring together representatives of SCO member states to strengthen multilateral engagement, review ongoing cooperation initiatives and consider decisions concerning the organisation’s financial and institutional functioning. Cultural and humanitarian exchanges are also expected to feature prominently in the deliberations.
India remains actively engaged in various SCO mechanisms and continues to contribute to regional cooperation through initiatives in start-ups and innovation, digital public infrastructure and people-to-people exchanges.
The meeting will provide India with an opportunity to exchange views with other member states and explore practical, mutually beneficial avenues for cooperation across the region.
The previous meeting of the Council of Heads of Government was held in Moscow, Russia, on November 18, 2025. India was represented by External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar.