ISLAMABAD – The Foreign Office has officially dismissed media speculation regarding a possible meeting between Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh during the ongoing SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting in China.
In a clear statement, the Foreign Office confirmed that Khawaja Asif is in Qingdao to represent Pakistan at the two-day SCO defence summit, beginning Wednesday. However, it categorically stated that no bilateral engagement with the Indian delegation is on the agenda.
Contrary to this, Turkish media reports suggested the possibility of a first-ever face-to-face exchange between the two South Asian defence leaders since their countries’ recent military standoff. Turkish outlets noted that both Asif and Singh would attend the SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting, each leading a high-powered delegation. Singh is also expected to meet with defence chiefs from China, Russia, and other regional states.
According to government sources, Khawaja Asif has already arrived in China for the defence gathering in Qingdao, while Rajnath Singh is also present with his team. The SCO military dialogue aims to address regional security, terrorism challenges, and military cooperation among member states.
A day earlier, Pakistan’s National Security Advisor, Lt Gen Asim Malik, participated in the 20th meeting of the secretaries of the Security Council of SCO countries in Beijing. He held meetings with Chinese leaders and other officials from the bloc. The NSA also delivered a detailed address outlining Pakistan’s perspective on regional peace, counterterrorism, and its stabilizing role in South Asia.
Lt Gen Malik emphasized Pakistan’s vision for a peaceful neighbourhood. He reiterated the country’s ongoing efforts to support global and regional peace, especially through dialogue and cooperation with SCO states.
Tensions between Pakistan and India remain fresh following a recent military conflict. The standoff erupted after a deadly attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, where 26 tourists lost their lives. India blamed Pakistan for the incident, leading to three days of cross-border shelling.
India launched unprovoked attacks, killing multiple civilians. In response, the Pakistan Armed Forces initiated Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos. The Pakistani military downed six Indian Air Force jets, including three Rafale fighters, and destroyed dozens of drones.
The conflict ended on May 10 after 87 hours of high-stakes military confrontation. A ceasefire deal, brokered by the United States, finally brought calm to the region.
Since the ceasefire, both Islamabad and New Delhi have launched diplomatic outreach campaigns. Each side has presented its version of the recent clash in forums across the world.
Still, no meeting between the defence ministers of the two nations has been scheduled or discussed during the SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting, despite earlier rumours.