Defense Minister Rajnath Singh will represent India at the upcoming SCO Heads of Government meeting

Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. File | Photo credit: ANI

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh will represent India at the upcoming two-day meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (Heads of Government) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on 19

The meeting will be held under Tajikistan’s chairmanship of the SCO this year and is expected to focus on strengthening practical cooperation between member states, especially in trade, investment, transport and logistics.

Ties with Tajikistan

The official said Mr. Singh will also hold a bilateral meeting with Tajikistan during the two-day visit. The discussions are expected to provide an opportunity to review bilateral ties and explore opportunities for further cooperation.

The agenda of the SCO meeting is expected to include trade and economic cooperation, investment, industrial cooperation, transport and logistics, development of the creative and digital economy, innovation and financial interaction. Social, cultural and humanitarian cooperation will also figure in the negotiations.

The meeting will bring together heads of government and designated senior officials of SCO member states to discuss regional cooperation and economic engagement.

Prime Minister Modi usually attends the SCO Council of Heads of State, as he did the 26th session held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic from August 31 to September 1 earlier this year.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursday that Premier Li Qiang will visit Tajikistan from October 18 to 20 at the invitation of Tajik Prime Minister Kokhir Rasulzoda. Mr. Li will attend a meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government during the visit.

Other member states, including Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Iran and Belarus, are expected to be represented by their heads of government or designated senior officials.

Bringing together countries across Eurasia, the SCO provides a platform for cooperation in regional security, economic development and cultural exchanges. The Council of Heads of Government is one of its key mechanisms for discussing economic and other areas of practical cooperation.

Published – 15 Oct 2026 23:06 IST