Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan, on April 26, 2024. The meeting saw the signing of a protocol by the Defence Ministers of all SCO Member States, culminating in a Joint Communique. Central to the discussions was the endorsement of the concept of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’, echoing the ancient Indian philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’.

India’s Defence Secretary reiterated the nation’s unwavering commitment to upholding peace, stability, and security in the SCO region. Emphasizing a zero-tolerance stance against terrorism in all forms, he underscored its detrimental impact on the prosperity and development of SCO Member States. Shri Giridhar Aramane also spotlighted India’s persistent advocacy for a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism at the United Nations. Additionally, he shed light on India’s ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)’ initiative for the Indo-Pacific, emphasizing collective security and prosperity in the region.