Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s Defence Ministers Meeting to be held in New Delhi
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers Meeting will be held in New Delhi today. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will chair the meeting. Defence Ministers of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan will be participating in the meeting. India has invited Belarus and Iran, who are currently observers in SCO, to participate in the Meeting. Defence Minister of Pakistan would be participating virtually. The Ministers will discuss matters related to regional peace and security, counter terrorism efforts within SCO and an effective multilateralism.
Yesterday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from SCO member countries.
During his meeting with China’s State Councillor and Minister of National Defence General Li Shangfu, Mr Singh asserted that development of relations between India and China is premised on prevalence of peace and tranquillity at the borders. He reiterated that violation of existing agreements has eroded the entire basis of bilateral relations and disengagement at the border will logically be followed with de-escalation. The two Ministers had frank discussions about the developments in the India-China border areas as well as bilateral relations. Mr Singh added that all issues at the Line of Actual Control need to be resolved in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and commitments.
Defence Minister Singh also held a bilateral talks with Iran’s Minister of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics Brigadier General Mohammed Reza Gharaei Ashtiyani. Both the Ministers reviewed the bilateral defence cooperation and exchanged views on regional security issues, including peace and stability in Afghanistan. Further, the two Ministers discussed the development of the International North South Transport corridor to ease logistic problems to Afghanistan and other countries in Central Asia.
Mr Rajnath Singh held talks with Kazakhstan’s Defence Minister Colonel General Ruslan Zhaxylykov and Tajikistan Defence Minister Colonel General Sherali Mirzo.