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PIB digest for Sunday, 18 October

India at SCO Council of Heads of Government Meeting

Ministry of Defence · IR · Posted 18 OCT 2026 11:22AM

What happened

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh will visit Dushanbe, Tajikistan, to represent India at the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on October 19-20, 2026. The meeting focuses on strengthening multilateral cooperation in trade, economy, investment, connectivity, innovation, and cultural-humanitarian exchanges.

Why it matters for UPSC

This event is important for UPSC syllabus under International Relations, highlighting India's active engagement and regional diplomacy within multilateral groupings like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

Key objectives

  1. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh to represent India at the 25th SCO Council of Heads of Government Meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on October 19-20, 2026.
  2. Focus on strengthening multilateral cooperation in trade, economy, investment, connectivity, innovation, and cultural-humanitarian exchanges.
  3. Review progress of ongoing cooperation initiatives and decisions concerning the Organisation's financial and institutional functioning.