Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to represent India at upcoming SCO Heads of Government meeting

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. File | Photo Credit: ANI Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will represent India at the upcoming two-day meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on October 19 and 20, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to participate virtually, a senior government official said on Thursday (October 15, 2026).The meeting will be held under Tajikistan’s SCO chairmanship for the year and is expected to focus on strengthening practical cooperation among member states, particularly in trade, investment, transport and logistics.Ties with TajikistanThe official said Mr. Singh would 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 avenues for further cooperation.The agenda of the SCO meeting is expected to cover trade and economic cooperation, investment, industrial collaboration, transport and logistics, the development of the creative and digital economy, innovation and financial interaction. Social, cultural and humanitarian cooperation will also figure in the deliberations.The meeting will bring together heads of government and designated senior representatives of SCO member states to discuss regional cooperation and economic engagement.Prime Minister Modi usually attends the meetings of the Council of Heads of State of SCO, as he did at the 26th meeting held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, from August 31 to September 1 earlier in the year.Separately, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursday that Premier Li Qiang would visit Tajikistan from October 18 to 20 at the invitation of Tajik Prime Minister Kokhir Rasulzoda. Mr. Li will attend the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting 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.The SCO, which brings together countries across Eurasia, provides a platform for cooperation on 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 - October 15, 2026 11:06 pm IST