Chinas Defence Minister, Li Shangfu will be visiting New Delhi for the first time since the Galwan Valley clash in 2020.During the SCO Defence Ministers meeting, the ministers will engage in talks related to regional peace and security, counterterrorism initiatives within the SCO, and the implementation of efficient multilateralism.The meeting between Singh and Li may involve discussions regarding the resolution of issues along the Line of Actual Control.At the Chushul-Moldo meeting point in eastern Ladakh, India and China held their 18th round of high-level military talks last week. During the meeting, the two countries talked about measures to build trust and prevent border confrontations in the upcoming months.In addition, on April 27 and 28, Singh is scheduled to hold individual meetings with defence ministers of other nations participating in the conference. During these meetings, they will talk about bilateral defence-related matters and other areas of mutual concern.The SCO Defence Ministers meeting will have the participation of India, Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan, which are all member countries of the organisation. Additionally, two observer countries, Belarus and Iran, will also take part in the meeting.According to a statement released by the Defence Ministry on Wednesday, Khawaja Asif, the Defence Minister of Pakistan, may participate in the meeting virtually and is not expected to visit India.During Singhs meeting with Russias Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, who will be present at the event, topics such as the conflict affecting the scheduled supply of weapons and spares between India and Russia, as well as Indias outstanding payments to Russia, may be discussed. As the media had reported earlier, India has not yet made payments in Roubles for the weapons received from Russia, which could potentially affect future weapon deliveries from Russia.Meanwhile, Shoigus visit is taking place amid a series of high-level meetings between India and Russia, such as the 24th India-Russia talks, . The theme for Indias chairmanship of the SCO in 2023, as per the Defence Ministry, is SECURE-SCO.The ministry had stated that India gives special significance to the SCO in enhancing multilateral, political, security, economic, and people-to-people interactions in the region.The ministry had also mentioned that the continued interaction with the SCO has facilitated India in enhancing its relations with countries in the region, which shares a civilisational bond with India and are considered to be its extended neighbourhood.The ministry stated that Indias admission to the SCO in 2017 was a confirmation of its eagerness to strengthen these long-standing connections. India views the SCO as a significant regional organisation to encourage multilateral, political, security, economic, and people-to-people interactions in the region.
