Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | International Relations
Why in News?
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is representing India at the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (CHG) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
- Venue – Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
- Dates – 19-20 October 2026.
- Objective – It focuses on strengthening multilateral cooperation among SCO member states in trade, economy, investment, connectivity, innovation and cultural-humanitarian exchanges.
- The meeting will also review ongoing cooperation initiatives and consider matters concerning the organisation’s financial and institutional functioning.
Previous CHG meeting – Held in Moscow, Russia, on 18 November 2025, where India was represented by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
- Key Objectives
- To strengthen mutual trust and foster good-neighbourly relations among member states.
- To promote cooperation in the fields of politics, trade, economy, science, and technology.
- To maintain regional peace, security, and stability.
- To combat terrorism, separatism, and extremism.
- To encourage cultural exchanges and enhance people-to-people contacts.
- Key Institutional Bodies – It comprises two principal institutional bodies responsible for conducting high-level meetings.
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Body
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Composition / role
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Council of Heads of State (CHS)
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Highest decision-making body; meets annually and determines major priorities
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Council of Heads of Government (CHG)
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Focuses on multilateral cooperation, particularly economic and budgetary matters
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- Significance
- Strategic Engagement – Strengthens regional cooperation in security, connectivity, and diplomacy.
- Economic & Technological Cooperation – Promotes trade, investment, digital governance, innovation, and cultural exchanges.
Reference
PIB | Council of Heads of Government Meeting 2026
