‘A new world order or a more orderly world?’: Rajnath Singh’s poser at SCO defence ministers’ meet

As China has long pushed the SCO to advance its vision of a ‘new world order’, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday told the grouping it must decide whether it seeks a new world order or a more orderly world.

In a statement at the SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Kyrgyzstan, Rajnath said the world currently faces a reality check in the form of increasing unilateralism and conflicts. But he suggested that this does not mean the international community should pivot to yet another ‘new world order’.

“We often hear calls for a new world order. Do we need a new world order or a world which is more orderly? We need an order where every citizen of this world is treated with dignity and respect. We need an order where differences do not become disputes and disputes don’t precede disasters,” said Rajnath.

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The remarks come amid an ongoing churn in the world stemming from the unprovoked American‑Israeli war on Iran and questions over whether anything resembling a 'rules‑based order' exists at all.

Rajnath said, “The real crisis today is not of a non‑existent order but a tendency to question the established rule‑based world order. We must focus on a global consensus where co‑existence, co‑habitation and compassion take precedence over chaos, competition and conflict. Since SCO represents a significant section of the world population, we have a responsibility to ensure peace and stability not only in our region, but in the world as a whole. We should continue to follow the path of dialogue and diplomacy and not of unrelenting force.”

In an apparent reference to the inward turn the United States has taken under President Donald Trump's second term, Rajnath said the SCO holds a particularly pivotal role in today’s world, where worldviews appear fractured and countries are becoming increasingly inward‑looking.

Rajnath added, “A peaceful future for our region requires the SCO to act as a consistent guardian of international standards. By tackling terrorism, separatism, and extremism without exception, we transform the regional security from a challenge into a cornerstone for peace and prosperity. Our success lies in cooperating with clarity and a single‑minded purpose. Let us together put forth our best efforts to achieve these noble goals and objectives.”

For years, China has pitched the SCO as a strategic alternative to the G7 and sought to use the grouping to promote its own vision of world order. But India’s presence in the grouping has acted as a check on such ambitions. Experts have said that India’s continued engagement in the SCO has prevented the organisation from becoming a China‑controlled bloc. They have also said that India’s seat at the table serves India’s commitment to building a multipolar world.