<p>The fast-evolving regional security situation, developments in Afghanistan and ways to boost cooperation in effectively combating terrorism and extremism are set to be the key focus of a conclave of the defence ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Delhi on Friday.</p>.<p>Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu, Tajikistan's Colonel General Sherali Mirzo, Iran's Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Gharaei Ashtiyani and Kazakhstan's Colonel General Ruslan Zhaksylykov have already arrived in the national capital.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/all-issues-at-lac-need-to-be-resolved-as-per-existing-bilateral-pacts-rajnath-to-chinese-defence-minister-li-1213514.html" target="_blank">All issues at LAC need to be resolved as per existing bilateral pacts: Rajnath to Chinese defence minister Li</a></strong></p>.<p>Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and his counterparts from Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan are also attending the meeting to be chaired by Rajnath Singh.</p>.<p>Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif is set to attend the meeting through virtual mode.</p>.<p>Officials involved in preparations for the meeting said the main focus of the deliberations will be on regional security situations including the developments in Afghanistan.</p>.<p>They said enhancing coordination among the SCO member countries to effectively combat terrorism and extremism will be another priority.</p>.<p>Ahead of the SCO meeting, Singh held bilateral talks with Li, Colonel General Zhaxylykov and Colonel General Mirzo.</p>.<p>Singh also held a bilateral meeting with Brigadier General Ashtiyani.</p>.<p>The SCO is an influential economic and security bloc and has emerged as one of the largest transregional international organisations.</p>.<p>It was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/jk-terror-attack-casts-shadow-of-uncertainty-over-meeting-of-india-pakistan-foreign-ministers-in-goa-1212987.html" target="_blank">J&K terror attack casts shadow of uncertainty over meeting of India, Pakistan Foreign Ministers in Goa</a></strong></p>.<p>India and Pakistan became its permanent members in 2017.</p>.<p>India was made an observer at the SCO in 2005 and has generally participated in the ministerial-level meetings of the grouping, which focus mainly on security and economic cooperation in the Eurasian region.</p>.<p>India has shown a keen interest in deepening its security-related cooperation with the SCO and its Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS), which specifically deals with issues relating to security and defence.</p>
<p>The fast-evolving regional security situation, developments in Afghanistan and ways to boost cooperation in effectively combating terrorism and extremism are set to be the key focus of a conclave of the defence ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Delhi on Friday.</p>.<p>Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu, Tajikistan's Colonel General Sherali Mirzo, Iran's Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Gharaei Ashtiyani and Kazakhstan's Colonel General Ruslan Zhaksylykov have already arrived in the national capital.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/all-issues-at-lac-need-to-be-resolved-as-per-existing-bilateral-pacts-rajnath-to-chinese-defence-minister-li-1213514.html" target="_blank">All issues at LAC need to be resolved as per existing bilateral pacts: Rajnath to Chinese defence minister Li</a></strong></p>.<p>Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and his counterparts from Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan are also attending the meeting to be chaired by Rajnath Singh.</p>.<p>Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif is set to attend the meeting through virtual mode.</p>.<p>Officials involved in preparations for the meeting said the main focus of the deliberations will be on regional security situations including the developments in Afghanistan.</p>.<p>They said enhancing coordination among the SCO member countries to effectively combat terrorism and extremism will be another priority.</p>.<p>Ahead of the SCO meeting, Singh held bilateral talks with Li, Colonel General Zhaxylykov and Colonel General Mirzo.</p>.<p>Singh also held a bilateral meeting with Brigadier General Ashtiyani.</p>.<p>The SCO is an influential economic and security bloc and has emerged as one of the largest transregional international organisations.</p>.<p>It was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/jk-terror-attack-casts-shadow-of-uncertainty-over-meeting-of-india-pakistan-foreign-ministers-in-goa-1212987.html" target="_blank">J&K terror attack casts shadow of uncertainty over meeting of India, Pakistan Foreign Ministers in Goa</a></strong></p>.<p>India and Pakistan became its permanent members in 2017.</p>.<p>India was made an observer at the SCO in 2005 and has generally participated in the ministerial-level meetings of the grouping, which focus mainly on security and economic cooperation in the Eurasian region.</p>.<p>India has shown a keen interest in deepening its security-related cooperation with the SCO and its Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS), which specifically deals with issues relating to security and defence.</p>