File photo of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chairing a high level meeting to review the security situation along the western border and operational preparedness of the Indian Armed Forces at South Block, in New Delhi on May 09, 2025. The Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh and Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh are also seen.
Rajnath Singh to Push for Peace, Counter-Terrorism at SCO Defence Meet in China
New Delhi: In a significant move to modernise and integrate the Indian Armed Forces, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has authorised the Chief of Defence Staff and Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs to issue Joint Instructions and Joint Orders for the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
This decision, announced by the Defence Ministry today, replaces the previous practice where each service issued its own directives, often leading to inefficiencies. The first Joint Order, titled “Approval, Promulgation and Numbering of Joint Instructions and Joint Orders,” aims to streamline procedures, reduce redundancies, and foster greater cooperation among the services. This step is seen as a milestone in enhancing transparency, coordination, and administrative efficiency, signalling a new era of unity and integration for the Armed Forces in serving the nation.
Concurrently, the Ministry of Defence has bolstered the Indian Army’s counter-terrorism capabilities by finalising thirteen contracts worth ₹1,981.90 crore under the Emergency Procurement mechanism, against a sanctioned outlay of ₹2,000 crore. These contracts, executed through fast-track procedures, focus on enhancing situational awareness, lethality, mobility, and protection for troops in counter-terrorism operations. The procured equipment includes Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction Systems, Low Level Lightweight Radars, Very Short Range Air Defence Systems, Remotely Piloted Aerial Vehicles, Loitering Munitions with Vertical Take-Off and Landing systems, various drones, Bullet Proof Jackets, Ballistic Helmets, Quick Reaction Fighting Vehicles, and Night Sights for Rifles.
The Ministry emphasised that these acquisitions, primarily indigenous, address urgent capability gaps and ensure the timely induction of critical equipment to meet evolving security challenges.
On the international front, Defence Minister Singh will lead a high-level Indian delegation to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Qingdao, China, from June 25 to 26, 2025.
The agenda includes discussions on regional and international peace, counter-terrorism, and cooperation among the SCO member states’ defence ministries. Singh is expected to reaffirm India’s commitment to SCO principles, advocate for collective efforts to combat terrorism and extremism, and promote trade, economic cooperation, and connectivity within the region. He will also hold bilateral talks with counterparts from countries such as China and Russia.
India, a full SCO member since 2017, views the organisation as a vital platform for multilateral engagement, emphasising sovereignty, territorial integrity, and mutual respect. The SCO, established in 2001, includes Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Belarus, with China chairing the 2025 session under the theme “Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move.”
– global bihari bureau
