India, Iran and multipolarity: What the 2025 SCO meeting meant

The 22nd Meeting of Ministers of Defense of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) convened on June 26, 2025, in Qingdao, China, against a backdrop of heightened global tensions and shifting security dynamics. Defense ministers from all ten SCO member states—including China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran, Belarus, and the Central Asian republics—gathered to discuss pressing regional security issues and the future direction of the organization.

Chaired by Chinese Defense Minister 董军 Dong Jun, the meeting underscored the SCO’s ambition to serve as an “anchor of stability” in Eurasia. In his opening remarks, Dong Jun called for deepened trust, enhanced strategic communication, and collective action to address evolving security challenges. He emphasized the importance of multilateralism and mutual respect, echoing China’s broader diplomatic posture in the region.

A central theme of the meeting was the need for stronger counter-terrorism cooperation. Ministers discussed the persistent threat posed by terrorism, separatism, and extremism, which continue to destabilize parts of Central and South Asia. The group reaffirmed its commitment to joint military exercises, intelligence sharing, and capacity-building initiatives to counter these threats.

Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov highlighted the “unprecedentedly high level” of Russian-Chinese defense cooperation, describing it as a cornerstone of regional stability. In bilateral talks with India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Belousov reiterated Russia’s solidarity with India in the fight against terrorism, referencing recent attacks in Jammu & Kashmir and calling for a united front against non-state actors.

India’s participation was marked by both engagement and dissent. While Singh attended the plenary sessions and bilateral meetings, India notably refused to sign the joint SCO statement, citing concerns that it contained language favoring Pakistan. Singh stressed that peace and prosperity cannot coexist with terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, a pointed reference to India’s longstanding concerns about Pakistan’s activities.

The meeting also marked the first full participation of Iran and Belarus as SCO members. Iran’s defense minister used the occasion to seek diplomatic support from fellow members amid ongoing Middle Eastern tensions, while Belarus emphasized the importance of multilateral security frameworks in a rapidly changing world.

On the sidelines, several bilateral and trilateral meetings took place. Chinese and Indian defense ministers discussed the need for enhanced communication and mutual trust, particularly in light of border tensions. Meanwhile, trilateral talks between China, Russia, and Iran focused on the security situation in the Middle East and the potential for greater coordination within the SCO framework.

The official SCO Secretariat provided a detailed summary of the meeting, noting the breadth of topics covered: from joint military exercises and military-medical cooperation to modernization efforts and preparations for the upcoming Council of Heads of State meeting in Tianjin. The Secretariat underscored the organization’s commitment to adapting its activities to meet new security realities.

Chinese state media, including Xinhua and Global Times, highlighted the symbolism of all ten defense ministers posing for a group photo, a visual affirmation of the SCO’s unity despite underlying differences. Coverage emphasized China’s call for the SCO to play a more active role in global governance and security.

Russian outlets, such as TASS and Interfax, focused on the deepening of Russia’s defense ties within the SCO, particularly with China and India. They also reported on Russia’s support for collective security mechanisms and its advocacy for a multipolar world order.

Iranian and Central Asian media echoed the importance of the SCO as a platform for dialogue and cooperation. Iranian sources, including Tehran Times, reported on the country’s efforts to secure diplomatic backing from its partners, while Central Asian outlets noted the significance of regional security cooperation in light of ongoing threats from extremist groups.

In summary, the 22nd Meeting of Ministers of Defense of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization highlighted both the opportunities and challenges facing the organization. While the SCO continues to serve as a vital forum for dialogue and cooperation, persistent tensions—such as those between India and Pakistan—underscore the complexities of building consensus among diverse member states. Nevertheless, the meeting reaffirmed the SCO’s commitment to collective security and its evolving role as a stabilizing force in Eurasia.