25th SCO Council of Heads of Government Meeting: Raksha Mantri calls for unified action to dismantle the entire ecosystem of terrorism

Key Highlights:

• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh addressed the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (CHG) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on October 20, 2026.
• He called for unified action among SCO Member States to dismantle the entire ecosystem of terrorism, citing it as a grave threat.
• India emphasized inclusive economic engagement, resilient supply chains, and leveraging technology for development within the SCO framework.
• India reaffirmed support for the PMTEC Action Plan for 2026-2030 for multilateral trade and economic cooperation.
• India will host the first SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum later in the year.

Detailed Insights:

• The Raksha Mantri stressed that there can be no justification for terrorism, no double standards, and no safe havens for terrorists.
• India believes SCO must adhere to principles of sovereign equality, consensus, and mutual respect, focusing on practical value.
• Connectivity initiatives like the International North-South Transport Corridor and Chabahar Port are crucial for linking Central Asia with broader markets.
• Connectivity projects must be based on consultation and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity to be sustainable.
• India highlighted its Digital Public Infrastructure and large start-up ecosystem as examples of technology-driven development.
• Global initiatives like the International Solar Alliance, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, Mission LiFE, and Global Biofuel Alliance contribute to sustainable development.
• The meeting reviewed progress in multilateral economic and trade cooperation and adopted the Joint Communiqué and SCO budget for 2027.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO): A Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance, of which India has been a full member since 2017.
• Digital Public Infrastructure: Open, interoperable digital systems that facilitate public and private service delivery and financial inclusion.
• International North-South Transport Corridor: A multi-modal network of ship, rail, and road routes for moving freight between India, Russia, Iran, Europe, and Central Asia.