Shoigu and his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh are expected to meet on the sidelines of the SCO meet to discuss delay in supply of defence equipment and payment issues through national currencies.
The two are also expected to discuss ongoing defence contracts including delivery schedule of S-400, according to persons familiar with the developments. Shoigu last visited India for the maiden India-Russia 2 + 2 (foreign and defence ministers) meet in December 2021. Last year, Shoigu and Singh held a telephonic conversation.
SCO defence ministers will help prepare for the summit here early July and it is not yet certain if the defence ministers of Pakistan and China will attend the meeting physically. The defence ministers meeting may also discuss the possibility of SCO joint military exercises like in previous years.
Following the defence ministers meeting, SCO foreign ministers will meet in Goa on May 4-5. There are reports that foreign ministers from both Pakistan and China could physically attend the meeting.
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