"The need to expand contacts with our colleagues from the observer states is ripe," Serdyukov said after a two-day meeting of defence ministers of the regional group.

Set up as a sub-regional security organisation, SCO comprises China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, with India, Pakistan, Iran and Mongolia having observer status.

"We intend to include joint events with them in our cooperation plan for 2012-2013," Serdyukov added without elaborating.

In 2007, SCO had carried out its" Peaceful Mission,"a massive anti-terror drill in Russian region of Chelyabinsk, involving about 5,000 military personnel of the member states.

It has been decided to hold similar drills every alternate year, ITAR-TASS said.

In a joint communique, the SCO defence ministers have underscored that their military ties are not directed against any third country or international blocs.

"The aim of our cooperation is to strengthen military confidence building measures, stability, security and peace in the region and improvement in counter-terrorism capabilities," SCO defence ministers said.