SCO defence ministers' meet LIVE: We should unitedly fight terrorism, says Rajnath Singh

Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister General Li Shangfu said that "currently, the situation on China-India border is generally stable and the two sides have maintained communication through military and diplomatic channels. The two sides should take a long-term view, place the border issue in an appropriate position in bilateral relations, and promote the transition of the border situation to normalised management." 

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who is chairing the SCO Defence Ministers' meet in New Delhi, said on Thursday, "We should unitedly fight terrorism. If SCO has to emerge stronger, we have to fight together."

Singh added that terror groups are using new methods like social media and crowdfunding. 

Chinese Defence Minister General Li Shangfu met his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on Thursday (April 27), a day before the SCO Defence Ministers' meeting. According to a statement issued by the Chinese defence ministers, Shangfu and Singh exhanged views on relations between India and China and their militaries. 

"Gen. Li said that as major neighboring countries and important developing countries, China and India share far more common interests than differences. The two sides should view bilateral relations and each other's development from a comprehensive, long-term and strategic perspective, and jointly contribute wisdom and strength to world and regional peace and stability," the statement said. 

Rajnath Singh, meanwhile categorically conveyed that development of relations between New Delhi and Beijing is premised on prevalence of peace and tranquillity at the borders.

"He (Singh) added that all issues at the LAC need to be resolved in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and commitments. He reiterated that violation of existing agreements has eroded the entire basis of bilateral relations and disengagement at the border will logically be followed with de-escalation," a statement from the Indian Defence Ministry read. 

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday that his country is fully committed to make SCO stronger to contribute to the implementation of SCO's mandate, and to face the common contemporary challenges. 

"To ensure a secure, stable and prosperous region, we need to focus on our agenda. This will help in improving the quality of life of the people of each member country," Singh said during the meeting. 

In his opening remarks, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said the forum provides an opportunity to all of the SCO nations to exchange views, share perspectives and concerns. "This is an important platform where we can discuss the challenges before us, find solutions to them," he said. 

He added that there have been very old cultural and civilizational linkages between all of SCO nations and based on these linkages, "there has been a continuous exchange of people, ideas, and goods between us over the centuries, which has enriched our nations economically and culturally." 

"India views SCO as an important entity to promote defense cooperation among member states. We, as a nation, wish to further strengthen the spirit of trust and cooperation among the members of the SCO," the defence minister said. 

India's defense minister Rajnath Singh is chairing the SCO summit in New Delhi today. The meeting comes after Singh held a series of bilateral meetings with his counterparts on 27 April.

He held talks with Iran's Minister of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics Brigadier General Mohammed Reza Gharaei Ashtiyani in New Delhi on 27 April. Singh also held separate bilateral meetings with Minister of Defence of Kazakhstan Colonel General Ruslan Zhaxylykov and Minister of Defence of Tajikistan Colonel General Sherali Mirzo on the same day. 

The Indian minister also met State Councillor and Minister of National Defence of China General Li Shangfu. The two had frank discussions about the developments in the India-China border areas as well as bilateral relations.

SCO defence ministers' meet kicks off in New Delhi. India's neighbouring nation Pakistan participating in the meeting virtually via video conferencing. 
 

Under its Chairmanship, this year, India organised two defence-related activities to enhance interoperability amongst SCO member states. The first was a workshop on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief and the second was a seminar on SCO countries' defence think-tanks on the issue of Armed Forces contributing to military medicine, healthcare and pandemics.