**Summary of the Ministry of Defence Press Release: SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting 2026**
On April 28, 2026, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh will lead a high-level Indian delegation to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The meeting aims to address regional security and defence challenges, focusing on international peace, counter-terrorism, and enhanced defence cooperation among member states.
**Context and Strategic Objectives**
The meeting is set against the backdrop of significant geopolitical turmoil in West Asia. As a major regional political and economic organization, the SCO is expected to discuss measures to mitigate the impacts of ongoing regional conflicts. During the proceedings, the Raksha Mantri will:
* Highlight India’s commitment to global peace amidst current security challenges.
* Reiterate India’s "zero tolerance" stance on terrorism and extremism.
* Engage in bilateral talks with counterparts from various participating countries on the sidelines of the event.
**About the SCO**
The SCO is an inter-governmental organization established on June 15, 2001, in Shanghai, China. Its current membership includes India, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Belarus. India became a full member of the organization in 2017 and served as the rotating chair in 2023.
**Administrative Details**
* **Post Date:** 27 APR 2026, 11:14 AM
* **Source:** PIB Delhi
* **Release ID:** 2255790
* **Visitor Counter:** 1006
* **Reference:** VK/Savvy
Key Entities Referenced
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO): An inter-governmental political and economic organization focused on regional security, counter-terrorism, and defense cooperation among its member states.
SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting: A high-level forum where defense ministers of member countries deliberate on regional security, international peace, and impact of ongoing conflicts.
Shri Rajnath Singh: The Raksha Mantri (Minister of Defence) of India, leading the national delegation and holding bilateral talks on the sidelines of the SCO summit.
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan: The host location for the 2026 meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Defence Ministers.
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Mantri to lead Indian delegation at SCO
Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Bishkek,
Kyrgyzstan
Posted On: 27 APR 2026 11:14AM by PIB Delhi
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh will lead a high-level Indian delegation to the Shanghai Cooperation
Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting which will be held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on April 28,
2026. During the meeting, the Defence Ministers of various member countries will deliberate upon a
number of issues concerning the defence & security of the region. Issues related to international peace,
counter-terrorism and defence cooperation among SCO member states will also be discussed.
This year’s SCO meeting is taking place in the backdrop of geopolitical turmoil being witnessed due to the
situation in West Asia. The SCO, one of the largest political & economic organisations of the region, may
discuss measures to reduce the impact of the ongoing conflict.
Raksha Mantri will highlight India’s commitment towards global peace, amidst the prevailing global
security challenges, and underline India’s consistent stance on zero tolerance for terrorism & extremism.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Shri Rajnath Singh is likely to hold bilateral talks with his counterparts of
some participating countries.
The SCO is an intern-governmental organisation established on June 15, 2001 in Shanghai, China. Its
membership includes India, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran
and Belarus. India became a full member in 2017 and assumed the rotating chairmanship in 2023.
***
VK/Savvy
(Release ID: 2255790) Visitor Counter : 1006
Read this release in: Urdu , Marathi , ही , Bengali , Bengali-TR , Punjabi , Gujarati , Telugu