In today's meeting of the Defense Ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member countries, there will be an emphasis on regional peace, security, curbing terrorism and strengthening bilateral relations. Every country will present its side in this meeting.

Defense Minister of China Li Shangfu, Defense Minister of Tajikistan Colonel General Sherali Mirzo, Defense Minister of Iran Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Gharai Astiani and Defense Minister of Kazakhstan Colonel General Raslan Zhaksilnikov have reached Delhi to attend the conference. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and his counterparts from Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan will also attend the conference to be chaired by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh.

The member countries of SCO are India, Russia, China, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Apart from the member countries, Belarus and Iran are participating in this conference of defense ministers as observer countries. Pakistan's Defense Minister Khwaja Asif will participate in this conference through virtual medium. India is presiding over the SCO summit 2023. This time India has given the slogan of Secure-SCO.

At the same time, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh held separate bilateral meetings with the Defense Ministers of Kazakhstan and Tajikistan on the sidelines of the SCO Defense Ministers' meeting on Thursday. According to an official statement, a wide range of India's defense cooperation with the two countries was reviewed during the discussions with Defense Minister of Kazakhstan, Col. General Ruslan Zhakslyakov and Defense Minister of Tajikistan, Col. General Sherali Mirzo. The focus was on expanding mutually beneficial cooperation during this period. Other issues of mutual interest were also discussed in the meeting.