India's Defense Minister Rejects Joint Statement at SCO Meeting Over Terrorism Concerns

Rajnath Singh's Stand at the SCO Meeting

During the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) defense ministers' meeting held in Qingdao, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh declined to sign a joint statement, emphasizing India's strategic autonomy and firm stance against terrorism. His refusal stemmed from the lenient approach towards terrorism exhibited by China and Pakistan. Reports indicate that the draft document failed to mention the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, while it explicitly referenced terrorist activities in Balochistan. This omission was unacceptable to India, as it undermined the credibility of its position on terrorism. Pakistan has long accused India of supporting the separatist movement in Balochistan, a claim that India has consistently denied. Following Singh's decision, the organization ultimately chose not to issue a joint statement due to unresolved differences regarding terrorism.

Singh's decision sends a clear message about India's foreign and defense policy: even in collective forums, India will not compromise on its fundamental interests and moral stance. India's participation in multilateral organizations like the SCO is evolving from mere involvement to a symbol of courageous leadership and ideological clarity.

Addressing Terrorism at the SCO

In his speech at the meeting, Rajnath Singh articulated India's position on terrorism with clarity. He specifically targeted Pakistan, stating that those responsible for terrorism, including financiers and sponsors, must be held accountable, and that a 'double standard' should not be applied in addressing these issues. He remarked that some nations exploit cross-border terrorism as a 'policy tool' to shelter terrorists. Singh highlighted that the greatest challenges in the region relate to a lack of peace, security, and trust, attributing these issues to rising radicalism, extremism, and terrorism. He asserted that peace and prosperity cannot coexist with terrorism.

Singh further emphasized that peace cannot be maintained if weapons of mass destruction are handed over to non-state actors and terrorist groups. He called for decisive action to tackle these challenges and urged collective efforts against these evils for the sake of mutual security. He warned that those who sponsor, nurture, and utilize terrorism for narrow and selfish purposes will face consequences. Singh insisted that there should be no room for double standards in combating terrorism and encouraged the SCO to openly criticize countries that adopt such approaches. He also noted that the method of the Pahalgam attack resembled previous attacks by Lashkar-e-Taiba in India, reiterating that India will not tolerate terrorism. Additionally, he reaffirmed India's commitment to supporting peace, security, and stability in Afghanistan.