The key facts

  • Rajnath Singh spoke at the 25th meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government in Dushanbe on October 20
  • He called for strengthening supply chains, simplifying customs procedures, and implementing digital solutions
  • Singh emphasized commitment to the principles of sovereign equality, consensus, and mutual respect

Address at the Dushanbe Summit

On Tuesday, October 20, India called on the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation to take 'concrete action' in response to global economic instability. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh made this statement at the 25th meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. According to him, the organization needs to build consensus and turn it into practical measures.

Priorities for Economic Cooperation

Singh noted that the global economic environment is characterized by geopolitical tensions, disruptions in trade and supply chains, risks to energy and food security, and emerging technological divides. He called for strengthening resilient supply chains, promoting trade and investment, and using technology for development, adding that the fruits of economic cooperation should reach all strata of society. India, he said, believes that economic interaction should be inclusive and mutually beneficial for all member states.

Principles and Institutional Effectiveness

The minister emphasized that the SCO must remain effective and consistently adhere to the principles of sovereign equality, consensus, and mutual respect. 'A greater number of institutions does not necessarily mean greater achievements,' he stated, adding that new mechanisms should be oriented toward clearly defined needs, avoid duplication, and prioritize practical benefits for member states.

Connectivity Beyond Physical Infrastructure

Singh also pointed to the need to go beyond physical connectivity: simplify customs procedures, promote digital documentation, improve logistics, and implement interoperable digital solutions in order to reduce the cost of doing business in the region.