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In a significant diplomatic move, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval are headed to China this week for high-level engagements under the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Their visit marks the first by an Indian Defence Minister to China since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash — a clear signal of India’s cautious recalibration of ties with Beijing.
Their arrival comes amid a complex web of geopolitical flashpoints: renewed border sensitivities following the Galwan Valley incident, intensifying tensions in West Asia, and growing unease over China’s expanding footprint in Central Asia.
As first reported by BharatShakti, Singh is expected to attend the SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao on June 24–25. The timing is notable — it coincides with the fifth anniversary of the Galwan clash. It follows India’s quiet refusal to endorse a recent SCO joint statement condemning Israeli airstrikes on Iran, a resolution pushed by Beijing and Moscow.
NSA Doval’s parallel presence adds weight to ongoing backchannel diplomacy, which has seen renewed momentum since Prime Minister Modi’s brief exchange with President Xi Jinping at the BRICS Summit in Kazan last October.
Also Read: Rajnath Singh to Visit China for SCO Defence Meet — First Since Galwan Clash
Symbolism and Subtext: Signs of a Thaw?
The visit also coincides with the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra — a largely symbolic development but one that suggests a tentative movement toward normalization. However, any talk of a full rapprochement would be premature, as core issues along the Line of Actual Control remain unresolved.
No Bilateral With Pakistan; Spotlight on Central Asia
Indian officials have confirmed there will be no bilateral meetings with Pakistani counterparts during the SCO events — a clear reflection of New Delhi’s uncompromising stance on cross-border terrorism and its objection to Islamabad’s use of it as a state policy tool.
Instead, Singh and Doval are expected to engage with counterparts from Russia, Central Asian republics, and potentially with Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun on the sidelines. This outreach underscores India’s strategic interest in Central Asia — both to bolster regional cooperation and to counter China’s growing influence in the region subtly.
Why Central Asia Remains Vital for India
India’s engagement with the SCO extends far beyond China and Pakistan. Central Asia is a vital geopolitical corridor linking South Asia with Europe and Russia. It offers access to key energy reserves, trade routes such as the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), and avenues for cooperation on counterterrorism and countering radicalisation.
With China and Russia asserting dominance across many regional groupings, Central Asian nations are increasingly viewing India as a balancing and stabilising force. Through sustained participation in the SCO, India reinforces its strategic autonomy and ensures that the forum doesn’t morph into an anti-Western or Beijing-centric bloc.
Expected Agenda: Counterterrorism, Regional Stability, and Border Issues
Key issues likely to dominate the SCO Defence and NSA-level meetings include:
- Cross-border terrorism and separatism, with India expected to push for a stronger regional consensus against state-sponsored terrorism;
- Emerging security threats, such as radicalization and drug trafficking, particularly those emanating from Afghanistan;
- Military cooperation, potentially including bilateral discussions on LAC disengagement and confidence-building measures with China;
- Global conflict flashpoints, including the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and the recent U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, have reignited tensions in West Asia.
India’s SCO Strategy: Balanced Engagement
Throughout its SCO engagement, India has deliberately maintained strategic balance. Its disassociation from the recent anti-Israel statement underlines a consistent commitment to neutrality and de-escalation, rather than bloc politics.
As Singh and Doval head to China, New Delhi’s objective is clear: ensure the SCO remains a genuinely multilateral platform for regional security — not an arena for great power competition or ideological posturing.
Huma Siddiqui
