India joins 12th SCO Justice Ministers' Meeting; Joint Statement adopted
Law Minister of State (Independent Charge) Arjun Ram Meghwal joined the 12th Justice Ministers' Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation by video on 29 October 2025, where a Joint Statement was adopted.
Summary
Arjun Ram Meghwal, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice, represented India by video conference at the 12th Justice Ministers' Meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states on 29 October 2025. Three Expert Working Group meetings hosted by Russia had earlier finalised the text. The meeting adopted a Joint Statement focused on exchanging legal information and cooperating on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). Meghwal highlighted India's E-Lok Adalat and its priority on resolving disputes through ADR. Tajikistan will host the next session in 2026.
Key facts
- Date
- 29 Oct 2025 (video conference)
- Meeting
- 12th SCO Justice Ministers' Meeting
- Preparatory meetings
- Three Expert Working Groups hosted by Russia
- Outcome
- Joint Statement on legal information exchange and ADR cooperation
- Next host
- Tajikistan, 2026
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Which SCO member state hosted the Expert Working Group meetings that finalised the Joint Statement of the 12th SCO Justice Ministers' Meeting (29 October 2025)?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Russia
PIB says three Expert Working Group meetings, hosted by member state Russia, finalised the Joint Statement signed at the JMM on 29 October 2025.
Which country will host the next (13th) SCO Justice Ministers' Meeting in 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Tajikistan
PIB states that the next session of the SCO Justice Ministers' Meeting will be hosted by Tajikistan in 2026.