Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has arrived in Dushanbe

A new chapter has been written in the friendship between India and Central Asia. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh received a grand welcome in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon himself welcomed Rajnath Singh and representatives of other member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) at the Palace of the Nation.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is representing India at the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting being held in the Tajik capital. This meeting is considered extremely important from the perspective of regional cooperation.

What Will Happen at the SCO Meeting?

The main agenda of this meeting is to further strengthen mutual cooperation among member countries. Discussions will focus on enhancing collaboration in culture, connectivity, economy, innovation, investment, and people-to-people ties. In addition, the financial and institutional functioning of the SCO will also be reviewed.

India has always been active on this platform. India's initiatives in areas such as start-ups, digital public infrastructure, and cultural exchanges are appreciated by all member states.

Important Meeting with Tajik Defence Minister a Day Before

A day before meeting the President, immediately after arriving in Dushanbe on Monday, Rajnath Singh held a bilateral meeting with his Tajik counterpart Emomali Sobirzoda.

Sherali Jonon, Head of the Asia-Pacific Division at Tajikistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was also present at the meeting.

During the meeting, the Tajik Defence Minister said, We are happy and proud that India's Defence Minister has visited our country this time. The SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting has given us an opportunity to welcome you, and this is very important to us.

In response, Rajnath Singh warmly said, Thank you for welcoming me so warmly. India and Tajikistan share very good relations. I would like to see our ties with Tajikistan grow stronger, especially in the field of defence. I visited here in 2021, and today all those memories have come flooding back.

Sharing details of the meeting on X (formerly Twitter), Rajnath Singh posted, "Had a productive discussion with the Defence Minister of Tajikistan in Dushanbe on the sidelines of the SCO Heads of Government Meeting. We exchanged views on strengthening bilateral defence cooperation in areas of mutual interest with emphasis on capacity building and training.

Also Met Prime Minister of Tajikistan and Vice President of Iran

During this visit, Rajnath Singh also met Tajikistan Prime Minister Kohir Rasulzoda and Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref.

He said that India and Tajikistan share centuries-old civilizational ties and deep people-to-people contacts.

Strong Message on Terrorism in Presence of Pakistan

During the meeting, Rajnath Singh also made India's tough stance on terrorism clear. In the presence of Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister, he said that there should be no double standards in dealing with terrorism and that it is necessary to dismantle the entire terror ecosystem.

Why is India-Tajikistan Friendship Special?

Tajikistan is one of India's most trusted partners in Central Asia. The two countries share a friendship of more than 30 years. Both countries have always stood together in defence, security, and the fight against terrorism.

This visit will not only strengthen the SCO but also showcase India's growing strategic power in Central Asia.