Rajnath Singh holds SCO sideline talks on defence with 5 nations in Bishkek
Synopsis
Rajnath Singh used the SCO Defence Ministers' Meeting in Bishkek to hold five bilateral defence meetings in a single day — including a notable sit-down with China's Admiral Dong Jun — while invoking Operation Sindoor to send a sharp message on terrorism to the regional bloc.
Key Takeaways
Rajnath Singh held bilateral defence meetings with counterparts from Kyrgyzstan , Kazakhstan , Russia , China , and Belarus on 28 April 2025 in Bishkek .
Singh described his meeting with Kyrgyzstan's Major General Mukambetov Ruslan Mustafaevich as "extremely productive", reaffirming the two nations' Strategic Partnership .
Talks with Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun focused on regional security and strengthening defence engagement.
At the SCO plenary, Singh invoked Operation Sindoor , warning that "terrorism epicentres are no longer immune to justifiable punishment".
Singh called on SCO members to reject double standards on terrorism and dismantle safe havens without exception.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday, 28 April held a series of bilateral meetings with defence counterparts from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia, China, and Belarus on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' Meeting in Bishkek. The back-to-back engagements underscored India's active multilateral defence diplomacy at a moment of heightened regional security concerns.
Meetings with Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan
Singh described his meeting with Kyrgyzstan's Defence Minister Major General Mukambetov Ruslan Mustafaevich as "extremely productive". He noted that India and the Kyrgyz Republic are Strategic Partners sharing values of democracy, development, culture, and rich heritage. "The bilateral cooperation between the two countries spreads across diverse sectors and Defence Cooperation forms an important pillar of our relations," Singh posted on X.
In a separate meeting, Singh and Kazakhstan's Defence Minister Lieutenant General Dauren Kosanov discussed concrete ways to deepen bilateral defence cooperation. Singh described the interaction as "excellent" in his post on X.
Talks with Russia, China, and Belarus
Earlier in the day, Singh met Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, with discussions covering key aspects of India-Russia bilateral defence cooperation, according to a post by the Ministry of Defence on X. The India-Russia defence relationship remains one of the most extensive in the region, with long-standing ties in equipment, joint exercises, and technology transfer.
Singh also held talks with Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun, with discussions focused on regional security and strengthening defence engagement — a notably significant meeting given the ongoing process of normalisation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) following the 2020 Galwan standoff. The ministry confirmed the meeting in a post on X.
Singh additionally met Belarus Defence Minister Lieutenant General Viktor Khrenin, with talks centred on strengthening bilateral defence cooperation between the two countries.
Singh's Address at the SCO Meeting
Addressing the full SCO Defence Ministers' Meeting, Singh stressed the urgent need for a collective and uncompromising approach to tackling terrorism, separatism, and extremism. He called on member states to dismantle safe havens and reject any political justification for such acts.
"Operation Sindoor demonstrated India's firm resolve that terrorism epicentres are no longer immune to justifiable punishment," Singh told the SCO gathering — a pointed reference that drew attention to India's recent counter-terrorism posture. He warned that the global community must remain alert to the threat posed by state-sponsored cross-border terrorism that undermines national sovereignty.
India's Broader Message on Terrorism
Singh emphasised that there is no room for selective approaches or double standards in dealing with terrorism. "By tackling terrorism, separatism, and extremism without exception, we transform regional security from a challenge into a cornerstone for peace and prosperity," he said, calling on the SCO to take decisive steps against those who support, shelter, or facilitate terrorist activities.
The Bishkek engagements signal India's intent to use multilateral platforms not just for bilateral outreach but also to advance its security doctrine at a time of elevated tensions in the region. All eyes will now be on how these discussions translate into concrete defence agreements and joint initiatives in the months ahead.
Point of View
Aimed squarely at Pakistan's traditional backers within the bloc. The meeting with China's Dong Jun is the most consequential: defence-level engagement between New Delhi and Beijing remains fragile post-Galwan, and any substantive outcome here will be watched closely. The broader pattern suggests India is using the SCO not merely as a forum but as a stage to advance its counter-terrorism doctrine and test the limits of its strategic partnerships simultaneously.
NationPress
5 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Rajnath Singh discuss at the SCO Defence Ministers' Meeting in Bishkek?
Rajnath Singh addressed the SCO Defence Ministers' Meeting in Bishkek on 28 April 2025, stressing the need for a collective approach to terrorism, separatism, and extremism. He also held five bilateral meetings with defence ministers from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia, China, and Belarus.
What is Operation Sindoor and why did Singh mention it at the SCO?
Operation Sindoor is a reference to India's counter-terrorism resolve, cited by Singh to signal that terrorism epicentres are no longer immune to punitive action. He invoked it at the SCO meeting to reinforce India's position against state-sponsored cross-border terrorism.
What was discussed in Rajnath Singh's meeting with China's Defence Minister?
Singh met Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun on the sidelines of the SCO meeting in Bishkek, with discussions focused on regional security and strengthening defence engagement between India and China.
Why is India's participation in the SCO Defence Ministers' Meeting significant?
India uses the SCO platform to engage with a wide range of regional powers — including Russia, China, and Central Asian states — on defence and security issues. The Bishkek meeting allowed Singh to hold five bilateral talks in a single day, reflecting India's active multilateral defence diplomacy.
What did Singh say about terrorism at the SCO meeting?
Singh called for a collective and uncompromising approach to terrorism, urging SCO members to dismantle safe havens and reject political justifications for such acts. He warned against double standards and called on the bloc to take decisive steps against those who support or facilitate terrorist activities.
