Rajnath Singh Declines to Endorse SCO Declaration Over Disputes on Terrorism References
At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' meeting in Qingdao, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh firmly opposed a joint declaration, which sources indicated would have compromised India's staunch stance against terrorism.
Official sources revealed that China and Pakistan attempted to omit references to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in 26 deaths, while emphasizing the Jaffar Express hijacking incident. Due to the lack of agreement, India chose not to sign the concluding document.
In his speech, Singh criticized countries that harbor terrorists and use terrorism as a state tool. He stated, “Some countries use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of policy and provide shelter to terrorists. There should be no place for such double standards. SCO should not hesitate to criticise such nations.”
Singh reminded SCO members of the severity of the Pahalgam attack, saying, “On April 22, 2025, the terror group ‘The Resistance Front’ executed a heinous attack on innocent tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Twenty-six civilians, including a Nepali national, were killed. Victims were profiled based on their religious identity before being targeted.”
He pointed out that the perpetrators are linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, a terrorist organization designated by the UN. Singh reiterated India's right to self-defense, referencing Operation Sindoor launched on May 7, 2025. He declared, “India’s zero tolerance for terrorism is evident through our actions. Epicentres of terrorism are no longer safe, and we will not hesitate to act decisively.”
Singh called on SCO nations to collaboratively combat radicalization and terrorism, stating, “We must take proactive steps to prevent the spread of radicalisation among our youth.”
Prior to his visit to China, the Defence Minister received a comprehensive briefing at the Northern Command headquarters in Udhampur. Top Army officials, including Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi and Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, briefed him on security in Jammu and Kashmir, counter-terror operations, and preparations for the Amarnath Yatra.
Rajnath Singh’s actions at the Qingdao meeting underscore India's unwavering position against terrorism, even in forums where diplomatic compromises are often the norm. His stance is likely to resonate strongly both domestically and internationally.
