Rajnath Singh Holds Bilateral Defence Talks with SCO Counterparts in Bishkek

New Delhi, Apr 29 (KNN) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Belarus on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Bishkek on April 28, focusing on strengthening defence cooperation.

During his meeting with Kyrgyz Defence Minister Major General Mukambetov Ruslan Mustafaevich, both sides discussed ways to enhance existing bilateral defence ties. 

Singh also gifted two indigenously developed Bhishm Aarogya Maitri Health Cubes to Kyrgyzstan to support Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and Search and Rescue (SAR) operations.

He further announced the completion of a project to provide 12 sets of computer systems at IT centres of the Kyrgyz Military Institute in Bishkek and a military unit in Osh, along with installation of wargaming software and training for Kyrgyz Armed Forces personnel.

In his discussions with Kazakhstan’s Defence Minister, Singh highlighted that defence engagement remains a key pillar of bilateral relations, spanning multiple areas of cooperation.
During talks with Belarusian Defence Minister Lieutenant General Viktor Khrenin, the Indian side emphasised capacity building and training as priority areas for expanding cooperation.

On the sidelines, Singh also held brief interactions with Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun and Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, where views were exchanged on regional and global security developments, particularly the evolving situation in West Asia.

Earlier, Singh and other SCO Defence Ministers called on Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov. The delegation also paid tribute at Victory Square in Bishkek.

The meetings reflect India’s continued engagement with SCO member states to strengthen defence partnerships and address evolving regional security challenges.

(KNN Bureau)