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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to visit Qingdao, China, later this month to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting scheduled for June 24–25. If confirmed, it would mark the first visit by an Indian Minister to China since the deadly Galwan clash in 2020. Until now, most engagements with Chinese leaders have taken place outside Chinese territory.
The visit would represent a cautious step forward in India-China relations, coming on the heels of the October 2024 agreement on troop withdrawals and limited resumption of patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.
Diplomatic Re-engagement in Delhi
The possibility of Singh’s visit follows a recent diplomatic outreach in New Delhi. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong visited the Indian capital just days ago and met with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. The two sides discussed the border situation, regional developments, and preparations for upcoming SCO events.
India reiterated its support for China’s Presidency of the SCO but also raised concerns over lingering border tensions. India became full members of the SCO in 2017, which also includes China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Iran and Pakistan. Defence Minister of Pakistan Khawaja Asif will also attend the SCO meet, which is taking place soon after the military hostilities between both countries last month.
Expected Agenda at the Qingdao Meet
The Qingdao meeting is expected to focus on regional security, counterterrorism, and defence cooperation among SCO member states. India is likely to reiterate its concerns over terrorism, especially threats linked to cross-border groups.
On the sidelines, Singh may hold bilateral talks with Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun. Possible discussion points include the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, restoration of air connectivity, and military data-sharing mechanisms.
India Distances Itself from Iran Statement
The visit also comes in the wake of India distancing itself from a controversial SCO statement that condemned Israeli airstrikes on Iran. India clarified that it had not participated in drafting the statement.
“Our position was already shared separately,” the Ministry of External Affairs said, reaffirming India’s call for diplomacy and de-escalation — a stance consistent with its non-aligned posture.
Why the Visit Matters
If it goes ahead, this would be Rajnath Singh’s first trip to China since the Galwan incident, which caused a severe freeze in bilateral relations. The visit would underscore India’s calibrated approach — engaging diplomatically while remaining firm on security concerns.
It would also reflect India’s commitment to maintaining an independent voice in multilateral platforms. While New Delhi actively participates in SCO initiatives, it continues to assert its sovereign positions — as evidenced by its stance on the Iran statement.
For both India and China, the meeting in Qingdao will be a test of how much ground can be regained in bilateral ties — even as a deep trust deficit lingers.
Team BharatShakti
