In a strategic move to boost bilateral military cooperation, **Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh** met with his Russian counterpart **Andrey Belousov** on the sidelines of the **Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Defense Ministers’ Meeting** in Qingdao, China.
According to a press release from the **Indian Ministry of Defense**, the two ministers held **fruitful discussions** focused on expanding defense ties between **India and Russia**, underscoring the long-standing partnership and shared security interests between the two nations.
The meeting comes at a critical time, as the region experiences evolving geopolitical dynamics. The **SCO**, currently chaired by China, comprises **10 full member states** including India, Russia, China, Iran, and Pakistan. It also includes observer states like Afghanistan and Mongolia, and 14 dialogue partners including the **UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey** — reflecting the organization's growing influence in global affairs.
This engagement highlights New Delhi and Moscow’s ongoing commitment to strategic defense collaboration within multilateral frameworks.
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### 🏷️ **Tags:**
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India, Russia, Rajnath Singh, Andrey Belousov, Defense Cooperation, India-Russia Relations, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, SCO Summit, Qingdao, China, Global Security, Defense Talks, International Politics
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