Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh addressed the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on October 20, 2026, calling for concerted efforts among SCO Member States to dismantle the entire ecosystem of terrorism, which he described as one of the gravest threats to peace and development. He stated that terrorism results in loss of innocent lives, disrupts investment and commerce, radicalizes societies, and deprives youth of opportunities, emphasizing that there can be no justification for terrorism, no double standards in addressing it, and no place for those who finance, support, or provide safe havens to terrorists.
Shri Rajnath Singh recalled Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's deliberations at the SCO Summit in Bishkek in August-September 2026, which underlined the need for concrete steps on security, connectivity, and opportunity. He underscored India's belief that economic engagement should be inclusive and mutually beneficial for all Member States, and that SCO must remain efficient and steadfast in its adherence to principles of sovereign equality, consensus, and mutual respect. He emphasized that new mechanisms should focus on clearly identified needs, avoid duplication, and prioritize delivering practical value to Member States.
The Raksha Mantri emphasized the need for SCO to build consensus and translate it into concrete action to address the uncertain global economic environment marked by geopolitical tensions, trade and supply chain disruptions, energy and food security concerns, and emerging technological divides. He called for strengthening resilient supply chains, facilitating trade and investment, and leveraging technology to drive development, while ensuring economic cooperation benefits reach all sections of society. India supported the adoption of an Action Plan for the Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation Programme for 2026-2030.
On connectivity, Shri Rajnath Singh stated that India supports initiatives that link markets, facilitate trade and create new development avenues, specifically mentioning the International North-South Transport Corridor and Chabahar Port as significant contributors to connecting Central Asia with broader markets. He stressed that connectivity must be based on consultation and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, and projects not founded on these principles will not be sustainable. He advocated moving beyond physical connectivity by simplifying customs procedures, promoting digital documentation, improving logistics, and adopting interoperable digital solutions to reduce business costs across the region.
The meeting reviewed progress in multilateral economic and trade cooperation among SCO Member States and discussed measures to strengthen cooperation in transport, finance, digital economy, and social development. The Heads of Delegation adopted the Joint Communiqué of the 25th Meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government, including the SCO budget for 2027, relevant financial and administrative decisions, and the PMTEC Action Plan for 2026-2030. This content may not be directly financially relevant.