Two-day summit to focus on trade, investment, transport connectivity, innovation and cultural cooperation
New Delhi/Dushanbe, October 2026: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, on Monday to represent India at the 25th meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government, being held on October 19 and 20.
The high-level meeting will bring together representatives of SCO member countries to discuss ways to strengthen economic partnerships and expand cooperation in areas including trade, investment, transportation connectivity, innovation and cultural exchange. The gathering will also provide an opportunity to review the organisation’s ongoing activities and consider priorities for future cooperation.
Upon his arrival at Dushanbe airport, Singh received a formal welcome from Tajikistan’s Defence Minister Emomali Sobirzoda and Sherali Jononon, head of the Asia-Pacific Division of the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Singh’s visit is expected to provide India with an opportunity to engage with Central Asian countries and other SCO members on issues of mutual interest, particularly economic cooperation, regional connectivity and technology-driven development.
Rajnath Singh Announces Visit on Social Media
Before departing for Tajikistan, Singh shared details of his visit on the social media platform X.
“Departing for Dushanbe from New Delhi. Look forward to representing India at the SCO Heads of Government meeting in Tajikistan on October 19–20, 2026,” he wrote.
The Defence Ministry also confirmed the visit, stating that India would use the SCO platform to promote practical cooperation that delivers mutual benefits to member countries.
India’s participation comes as the organisation continues to provide a forum for dialogue among countries with diverse economic interests, political systems and regional priorities. The meeting is expected to address opportunities for expanding cooperation while reviewing the progress of existing initiatives.
Trade and Investment to Remain Key Priorities
Strengthening economic partnerships among SCO members is expected to be a central focus of the discussions. Delegations will consider ways to expand trade relations, identify new investment opportunities and improve regional transport links.
Better connectivity can help facilitate the movement of goods and people, support business exchanges and strengthen links between markets across the region. Greater investment cooperation could also create opportunities for businesses and encourage economic activity among member countries.
India is expected to use the meeting to advance engagement in trade, technology and innovation. Discussions on these subjects could help identify areas where member countries can share expertise, explore joint initiatives and develop mutually beneficial partnerships.
Economic cooperation is an important part of the SCO’s broader agenda, alongside regional dialogue and collaboration on shared challenges. The Council of Heads of Government primarily deals with economic and multilateral cooperation, making the meeting relevant to member countries seeking to strengthen commercial ties and coordinate development initiatives.
Digital Public Infrastructure and Startups on the Agenda
Digital public infrastructure, startups and technological innovation are other areas in which India has been actively participating in SCO forums.
According to the Defence Ministry, India has been working to encourage cooperation among member countries in digital technology and innovation. India’s experience in developing digital public infrastructure and supporting its startup ecosystem could offer opportunities for knowledge-sharing and collaborative initiatives with other SCO members.
Digital systems can support the delivery of public services, facilitate transactions and improve access to information. Sharing experiences in these areas could help countries explore technology-based solutions suited to their respective development needs.
The meeting is expected to provide an opportunity for members to exchange experiences and consider future partnerships in digital technology, innovation and entrepreneurship. Such cooperation could also help strengthen links between technology ecosystems and encourage wider engagement among businesses and innovators.
However, the specific initiatives or agreements that may emerge from the discussions will become clearer after the meeting concludes.
Review of SCO’s Financial and Institutional Activities
The two-day meeting will also review the organisation’s ongoing activities and the progress of various cooperation programmes.
Member countries are expected to consider matters related to the SCO’s financial and institutional functioning, along with the implementation of existing initiatives. The discussions will provide an opportunity to assess progress, identify areas requiring attention and determine priorities for future work.
The review is intended to help member countries evaluate the organisation’s ongoing programmes and discuss ways to strengthen cooperation. Financial and institutional matters are an important part of ensuring that the SCO’s activities continue to support its agreed objectives.
India’s participation will provide an opportunity to share its views on these issues and engage with other members on the future direction of the organisation’s economic and multilateral agenda.
What Is the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation?
Established in 2001, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is a regional multilateral organisation focused on cooperation in areas including security, economic development, political dialogue and cultural exchange.
Its full members are India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran and Belarus. India became a full member in 2017.
The organisation provides a platform for its members to discuss regional issues, strengthen mutual engagement and pursue cooperation in areas of common interest. Its Council of Heads of Government focuses primarily on economic and multilateral matters, complementing other SCO mechanisms that address different aspects of cooperation.
For India, the organisation offers a channel to engage with Central Asian countries, Russia, China and other members on regional and economic issues.
Previous Meeting Held in Moscow
The previous meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government was held in Moscow, Russia, on November 18, 2025. India was represented at that meeting by External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar.
At this year’s 25th meeting, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is representing India. His participation will enable the Indian delegation to exchange views with representatives of other member countries on economic cooperation, regional connectivity and the organisation’s ongoing programmes.
Why the Meeting Matters for India
Central Asia holds an important place in India’s foreign policy because of its geographic position, economic potential and relevance to regional connectivity and energy-related interests. Stronger engagement with countries in the region can create opportunities for trade, investment and cooperation across several sectors.
The SCO provides India with a multilateral platform to discuss economic and strategic interests with a broad group of regional partners. Engagement through the organisation can also support dialogue on shared development priorities and encourage practical cooperation in areas such as technology, transport and cultural exchange.
Singh’s visit to Dushanbe comes against this backdrop. The two-day meeting is expected to provide opportunities to review existing initiatives, explore areas for closer collaboration and discuss the future priorities of the organisation.
The concrete outcomes, decisions and agreements, if any, will become clear once the meeting concludes.
