Defense Minister Rajnath Singh left on Monday for Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) defense ministers’ meeting, amid instability in West Asia in the wake of the US-Israel war with Iran.
The Ministry of Defense said that steps to mitigate the impact of the war are likely to be discussed during the meeting.
“This year’s SCO meeting is taking place against the backdrop of the geopolitical turmoil we are witnessing due to the situation in West Asia. The SCO, one of the largest political and economic organizations in the region, may discuss measures to reduce the impact of the ongoing conflict,” she said on Monday.
Iran is part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a 10-member bloc.
Last week, Singh said in Germany that geopolitical instability in West Asia, as a result of the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran, is no longer a regional issue, given its far-reaching consequences for global energy security, food security, and economic stability. He said that the disturbances in the Strait of Hormuz are not distant events, but rather stark facts that have direct implications for India’s security and economic stability.
The Ministry of Defense said in a statement, “During the meeting, the defense ministers of various member states will deliberate on a number of issues related to defense and security in the region. Issues related to international peace, combating terrorism and defense cooperation among member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization will also be discussed.”
The meeting also comes a year after the terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22 that killed 26 people, an attack that prompted India to launch Operation Sindoor against Pakistan.
“I look forward to attending the SCO Defense Ministers’ Meeting scheduled for tomorrow. It will highlight India’s commitment towards global peace, amidst the prevailing security challenges in the world, apart from conveying India’s firm stand on zero tolerance for terrorism and extremism. It will also interact bilaterally with counterparts of other SCO member states and with the Indian community in Bishkek,” Singh wrote on Monday.
