Rajnath Singh to participate in SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting in China, Pg14

Context: 

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will attend the SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao, China from June 25–27.

Key Highlights:

• First visit to China by Mr. Singh since the 2020 Galwan clash and Operation Sindoor.
• Bilateral meetings scheduled with Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong and Russian Defence Minister. 
• Pakistan’s Defence Minister will attend; no bilateral meeting planned with him.
• The meeting coincides with the resumption of Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimages, halted since 2020.
• Discussions will include regional defence cooperation and SCO’s Regional Anti-Terror Structure (RATS) mechanism.
• The visit follows the Modi-Xi meeting in Kazan (Oct 2024) and precedes the BRICS summit in Brazil (July 6–7).

Detailed Insights:

• Marks a step towards normalisation of India-China relations following a four-year military standoff at the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
• The SCO platform offers India an opportunity to assert its strategic interests in Central Asia and counterbalance Chinese influence.
• Participation reflects India’s multi-alignment approach amid tensions in other regions, including the Iran-Israel conflict.
• The absence of India-Pakistan bilateral talks underscores persistent diplomatic and military friction.
• Reopening of pilgrimage routes may signal broader people-to-people confidence-building measures.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Regional Anti-Terror Structure (RATS): A permanent SCO body based in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, focused on combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism.
• Line of Actual Control (LAC): The de facto border between India and China, not formally demarcated but maintained through agreements.