Tharoor meets Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov in Moscow
Good to catch up with old friend Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the #PrimakovReadings in Moscow @RT_India_news @RT_com pic.twitter.com/kQp9EdB3qM
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Time of India
42 minutes ago
- Time of India
Action on terror, focus on peace: Rajnath Singh attends SCO defence meet in Qingdao, pushes India's security vision
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Qingdao, China, for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' meeting—his visit marking the first by a senior Indian leader since the 2020 Ladakh border standoff. Singh will present India's call for united action on terrorism and regional security while advocating deeper trade and connectivity within the bloc. He is also expected to hold key bilateral talks with his Chinese and Russian counterparts. India views the SCO as critical to advancing its security, diplomatic, and strategic goals. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads 'Looking forward to Present India's vision': Singh Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Pushing for action on terror Pakistan, China, and the SCO setting Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Why the SCO is important for India Advance regional counter-terrorism cooperation Push for a more balanced, multipolar security framework Deepen engagement with Central Asian nations Support infrastructure goals like the International North-South Transport Corridor and Chabahar Port Defence Minister Rajnath Singh participated in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' meeting in Qingdao on Thursday, becoming the first senior Indian minister to visit China since the military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) erupted in May landed in the eastern Chinese port city on Wednesday evening and was received at the airport by Indian Ambassador Pradeep Kumar Rawat. His presence at the SCO forum marks a significant diplomatic development as both countries cautiously work to restore functional ties after years of frozen military face-off, which lasted more than three years, saw gradual disengagement. It formally concluded with both sides withdrawing from the final two friction points at Depsang and Demchok in October 2023. That agreement came just two days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Kazan. There, they decided to revive the Special Representatives (SR) dialogue mechanism. In December, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval visited Beijing and met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to take this dialogue Singh's presence in Qingdao is seen as part of a cautious but clear Indian effort to re-engage through diplomacy—without backing away from core leaving for China, Singh posted on X, 'Today, 25th June, I shall be leaving for Qingdao, China, to take part in the Shanghai cooperation organisation (SCO) defence ministers' meeting.'He added, 'I will have the opportunity to interact with various Defence Ministers on a wide range of issues. Looking forward to present India's vision for global peace and security and also, call for joint and consistent efforts to eliminate terrorism .'The remarks were a clear signal that India will continue using multilateral forums like the SCO to press its security priorities, especially on terrorism and extremism—issues where India has often found itself at odds with Pakistan, another SCO line with India's longstanding position, Singh is expected to call on SCO member states to adopt a united and firm approach against terrorism, extremism, and cross-border violence.A Ministry of Defence press release said, "Raksha Mantri is expected to highlight India's continued commitment to the principles and mandate of the SCO, outline India's vision towards achieving greater international peace & security, call for joint & consistent efforts to eliminate terrorism & extremism in the region, and stress on the need for greater trade, economic cooperation and connectivity within SCO."India has consistently used the SCO platform to raise its concerns about Pakistan-backed terrorism and to seek stronger cooperation against UN-proscribed terror groups operating in the year, Singh is also likely to bring up ongoing tensions in West Asia during his interactions with Chinese and Russian officials. These bilateral meetings are expected to be held on the sidelines of the Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has also travelled to Qingdao and was received by China's Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun. China is hosting the SCO Defence Ministers' meeting as the current Chair of the organisation, under the theme 'Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move.'India remains wary of China's ambitions in the region—particularly through projects like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)—which it has refused to endorse. However, New Delhi sees strategic utility in the SCO, particularly in engaging Central Asia, maintaining ties with Russia, and managing its delicate relationships with China and in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, the SCO has expanded to include India, Pakistan (2017), and more recently Iran and Belarus. It is now a regional forum of ten full members, covering political, security, and economic sees the SCO as a critical diplomatic space to:At the same time, it provides a buffer—however limited—to navigate tensions with Beijing and Islamabad within a multilateral presence in China, after years of strained relations, is a deliberate step—but it comes with clear expectations. India wants the SCO to move beyond rhetoric when it comes to terrorism. It is also looking to assert its own regional vision—of open, rules-based cooperation—without being pulled into a China-centric model of Defence Ministers' meeting is expected to conclude with a joint declaration. Whether or not it reflects India's demands remains to be seen. But New Delhi's message is unlikely to be missed.
Mint
44 minutes ago
- Mint
Rajnath Singh, Pak Minister Khawaja Asif at SCO defence ministers' meet in China. Here's what to expect
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in the Chinese port city of Qingdao. It is the first visit to China by a senior Indian minister since the ties came under severe strain following the military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh that began in May 2020. In line with India's diplomatic offensive against Pakistan-backed cross-border terrorism, Singh, who arrived in China on Wednesday, is set to press the SCO to ramp up efforts to contain terrorism at the conclave today. Looking forward to present India's vision for global peace and security and also, call for joint and consistent efforts to eliminate terrorism. News agency PTI reported that the defence minister is expected to highlight India's continued commitment to the principles and mandate of the SCO, outline India's vision towards achieving greater international peace and security, and call for joint and consistent efforts to eliminate terrorism and extremism in the region Singh is expected to hold bilateral talks with his Chinese and Russian counterparts on the sidelines of the SCO conclave. "Looking forward to present India's vision for global peace and security and also, call for joint and consistent efforts to eliminate terrorism," he said in a post on X. China is hosting the meeting in its capacity as the current chair of SCO. Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif is also attending the summit in China. Turkish media reports had suggested the possibility of the first face-to-face meeting between the defence ministers of India and Pakistan since the recent military standoff between the two nations along the borders in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. However, Pakistan's Foreign Office has clarified that no meeting is scheduled between Rajnath Singh and Khawaja Asif during the SCO conclave. As many as 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. On May 7, India launched retaliatory strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) under Operation Sindoor. Pakistan retaliated. Four days later, the two nations agreed to halt military action.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
‘Finally Wears A Suit…': Zelenskyy Sparks Meme Fest After Ditching Combat Look At NATO
Last Updated: Zelenskyy appeared wearing a black suit-style jacket and shirt at the royal dinner hosted by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima at the royal palace in Den Bosch. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sparked a meme fest on social media platforms after he appeared at the NATO summit in The Hague wearing a black suit-style jacket and shirt- a noticeable departure from his wartime wardrobe. Often seen at major events in his military-style outfit, the Ukrainian leader marked a subtle shift in visual tone from his usual combat gear to something more diplomatically formal, months after he was publicly ridiculed during a tense Oval Office meeting with US President Donald Trump for not wearing a suit. Zelenskyy appeared wearing a black suit-style jacket and shirt at the royal dinner hosted by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima at the royal palace in Den Bosch. The formal dinner was attended by heads of state and top defence delegations, among others. Recent photos and videos of the Ukrainian leader wearing a tailored black suit quickly went viral, prompting a resurgence of debate about the symbolic meaning of clothing. 'Zelensky is capable of wearing a suit. Not at the White House or the Congress, but for his benefactors in Europe," a netizen commented. Another one quipped, 'Zelensky finally wears a suit at the Hague so he can ask Trump for more money." One user even pointed out that Ukraine President was 'withholding the tie." Zelenskyy, visibly annoyed, responded sharply, 'I will wear costume after this war finishes. Maybe something like yours. Maybe something better." (In Ukrainian, 'kostyum" refers to a suit.) Since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Zelenskyy has been seen in military-style gear- sweatshirts, field jackets, cargo pants- to project solidarity with troops on the front lines. Even during diplomatic visits abroad, including meetings with Pope Francis and world leaders like UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Zelenskyy has kept to that dress code. First Published: June 26, 2025, 07:10 IST
