Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Holds Bilateral Discussions with Defence Ministers of Belarus, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan in China

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Holds Bilateral Discussions with Defence Ministers of Belarus, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan in China

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held bilateral talks with the Defence Ministers of Belarus, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan on Thursday, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao, China.

Mr Singh held meetings with Belarusian Defence Minister Lt. Gen. Victor Khrenin, Tajik Defence Minister Lt. Gen. Sobrizoda Emomali Abdurakhim, and Kazakh Defence Minister Lt. Gen. Dauren Kosanov, focusing on enhancing defence ties and identifying new opportunities for cooperation.

During the meetings, Singh underscored the need for continued engagement in defence partnerships and showcased India’s significant strides in defence manufacturing, especially its push for self-reliance in critical sectors. He also advocated for enhanced collaboration in technology, defence production, and innovation.

Singh also informed his counterparts about the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, and shared details of Operation Sindoor — India’s counter-terror campaign focused on dismantling cross-border terror infrastructure in Pakistan.

All three defence ministers affirmed the significance of ongoing cooperation and agreed to deepen collaboration in key areas including capacity building, joint training, military education, and technical exchanges. The discussions reflected a shared commitment to bolstering defence relations and advancing regional security.