SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Qingdao, China: A Conclave of Strategic Stakes

QINGDAO, CHINA (June 2025)   From June 24 to 25, 2025, defence ministers from all ten Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Belarus will convene in Qingdao, Shandong province, for a pivotal Defence Ministers’ Meeting. The summit marks an important milestone amid rising global tensions, evolving security threats, and an active Chinese presidency of the SCO ahead of the autumn summit in Tianjin .

China’s 2025 SCO Presidency & Strategic Elite Gathering

China, serving as SCO chair in 2025, has orchestrated over 100 related events, underscoring its leadership and ambition to reinvigorate regional cooperation. The March meeting of defence officials in Qingdao set the stage, with more than 30 delegates discussing frameworks for the upcoming defence ministers’ summit . This June gathering will elevate the dialogue to deal with tangible threats terrorism, border security, emerging technologies, and joint exercises.

India’s Calculated Return to Military Diplomacy

A key highlight is the confirmed attendance of Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, marking his first high-level defence visit to China since the 2020 Galwan clash. His participation signals a careful diplomatic maneuver balancing engagement with China while managing ongoing tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

New Delhi’s involvement comes amid flyer plans for joint engagement across multiple platforms: membership in both the SCO and the Quad bloc (with the US, Japan, Australia) . This demonstrates India’s nuanced foreign policy avoiding alignment, yet not isolating itself from key regional processes.

Key Themes on the Defence Agenda

China’s public communications and media sources indicate several core areas of discussion:

1. Counter‑Terrorism & RATS Strengthening
   The “Regional Anti‑Terrorism Structure” under SCO will feature prominently. The situation in Afghanistan is a recurrent security concern, with SCO seeking intelligence-sharing mechanisms and coordinated border security measures.
2. Cyber & Emerging Military Technologies
   Following China’s emphasis on cybersecurity and artificial intelligence in defence, expect discussions on collaborative development protocols, secure data sharing frameworks, and AI ethical use.
3. Joint Military Exercises
   Planning for future editions of the SCO’s flagship drill “Peace Mission”, last held in 2023, is anticipated. These exercises enhance interoperability across logistics and counter-terror tactics.
4. Military‑to‑Military Diplomacy
   With Sino‑Indian military-to-military ties paused since 2020, sideline talks potentially between Rajnath Singh and Admiral Dong Jun or General Li Shangfu could reopen dialogue avenues.
5. Disaster Response & Military Medicine
   Referencing earlier SCO interaction in New Delhi, India and others have promoted Disaster Relief and military medicine cooperation topics likely resurfacing in Qingdao .

Diplomatic Underpinnings & Geopolitical Implications

This defence conclave comes at a delicate time:

• US–China Rivalry & NATO–Russia Tensions: As Western alliances harden, the SCO provides a counterbalance and a platform for Asia and Eurasia to define their own security priorities.
• India’s Dual Posturing: New Delhi seeks to maintain ties with the West while engaging with SCO partners positioning itself as both a regional stakeholder and a global player.
• Chinese Strategic Messaging: By spearheading the meeting, China projects influence, draws attention to its regional leadership role, and capitalizes on multilateral diplomacy ahead of the Tianjin summit .

What to Expect: Political Signals & Security Outcomes

1. Official Communiqué: Likely to affirm core SCO principles non-interference, sovereignty, counter-terrorism norms.
2. Exercise Announcements: Exact dates and venues for next Peace Mission and other drills could be confirmed.
3. Possible Bilateral Reads: Any visible rapport or agreement between India-China defence chiefs would be interpreted as modest thawing.
4. Agreements on Tech & Medicine: Collaborative frameworks on military medicine, AI ethics, and cyber security protocols could be publicized.

Conclusion: A High-Stakes Security Summit

The June 24–25 Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Qingdao is more than routine multilateralism it’s a barometer of evolving defence diplomacy in Asia. From terrorism and cyber threats to military technology and regional stability, the summit blends security pragmatism with geopolitical theatre.

India’s attendance amid LAC tensions, China’s presidential year, and the overall hardening of global strategic lines elevate this meeting’s significance. As the world watches, the outcomes will likely shape SCO’s role in Eurasian security architecture balancing collective stability with national agendas.

Sources:

1. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/amid-bid-to-rebuild-china-ties-rajnath-singh-to-attend-sco-meet/articleshow/121854871.cms?utm_
2. https://eng.mod.gov.cn/xb/News_213114/TopStories/16377431.html?utm.
3. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/china-to-host-sco-defence-officials-meet-to-discuss-future-security-cooperation-officials/articleshow/119013442.cms?utm.m&_

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