Defence Minister Rajnath Singh delivered a firm rebuke to India’s adversaries by declining to sign the joint statement at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao, China. The move came in response to the deliberate omission of the recent Pahalgam terror attack—which left 26 dead—from the final document.
In contrast, the statement made reference to Balochistan, widely seen as a subtle endorsement of Pakistan’s baseless claims that India stokes unrest in the region. The move is believed to reflect Pakistan’s influence, bolstered by China, which currently chairs the SCO.
In a powerful address to the summit, Singh urged member nations to act collectively against terrorism, warning that extremism and radicalisation remain key sources of regional instability. He emphasized, “Peace and prosperity cannot coexist with terrorism and the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction by non-state actors and terror groups.”
Singh directly cited the Pahalgam attack, stressing that the victims were targeted due to their religious identity. He pointed to The Resistance Front, a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba—a UN-designated terror outfit—as the group behind the attack. Reaffirming India’s zero-tolerance approach to terrorism, Singh stated unequivocally, “Terror epicentres are no longer safe. We will not hesitate to act.”
He further called for strict accountability, demanding that sponsors, financiers, and organisers of terrorism be brought to justice. India, he said, will continue to stand firm in its commitment to eradicating terror at its roots.
India has repeatedly dismissed Pakistan’s allegations regarding Balochistan and instead highlighted Islamabad’s long-standing support for cross-border terrorism. Singh’s refusal to endorse the joint SCO statement aligns with India’s broader diplomatic posture post-Operation Sindoor, reinforcing its unwavering stance on national security and counter-terrorism on the global stage.