The Defence Secretary will also engage in bilateral talks with his counterparts from other SCO member states
India's Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane is leading a high-level Indian delegation at the Annual Meeting of the Defence Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Member States. The meeting, scheduled for April 25-26, 2024, in Astana, Kazakhstan, will focus on enhancing regional security and defence cooperation among member states.
 
The SCO Defence Ministers' meeting is a crucial platform for discussing regional security challenges and enhancing mutual understanding and cooperation in defence-related areas. This year's gathering is expected to delve into various strategic issues, with a special emphasis on defence cooperation initiatives. Aramane will present India's statement, outlining the country's perspective and recommendations towards regional stability and security.
 
In addition to participating in the multilateral discussions, the Defence Secretary will engage in bilateral talks with his counterparts from other SCO member states. These discussions aim to strengthen India's defence ties with friendly nations within the SCO framework, exploring new avenues for military collaboration and partnership.
 
This meeting comes on the heels of the 19th Meeting of Secretaries of the Security Council of the SCO, also held in Astana earlier this month. During this meeting, India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval highlighted critical issues such as the need to combat terrorism without double standards and to hold accountable those who support terrorist activities financially or otherwise. He remarked on India's commitment to a unified approach against terrorism, including the need to address challenges posed by groups designated by the United Nations Security Council, such as Al Qaeda, ISIS, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Jaish-e-Muhammad.
 
NSA Doval also emphasized India's dedication to improving transit trade and connectivity within the SCO region.
 
India's active participation in the SCO Defence Ministers' meeting reflects its broader foreign policy goals in Central Asia and beyond. The SCO, comprising several Eurasian nations, serves as a significant platform for India to advance its interests in areas such as defence, trade, and energy security. Moreover, it provides a multilateral venue to address common challenges like terrorism, extremism, and regional instability.
 
The outcomes of the SCO Defence Ministers' meeting are expected to contribute substantially to the regional security architecture. With India pushing for stronger defence ties and enhanced security cooperation, the meeting could pave the way for more robust military collaborations and peace-building initiatives across the region.
 
India's role and its initiatives in the SCO are closely watched as indicators of its growing influence and as a reflection of its readiness to engage deeply in regional security issues.