Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has refused to sign the draft statement at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting after the document omitted the reference to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which killed 26 people, government sources confirmed to The Indian Express. The sources added that the document, however, mentioned the Jaffar Express hijacking in Pakistan by the Balochistan Liberation Army in March, indicating the general unrest in Balochistan.
Government sources said no joint statement was issued because the defence minister refused to sign the draft statement, which represented India’s position on the absence of a common standard for terrorism.
At the SCO meeting in China’s Qingdao, Rajnath Singh stated that the region’s biggest challenges are related to peace, security, and trust deficits, with increasing radicalisation, extremism, and terrorism being the root cause of these problems.
“Peace and prosperity cannot co-exist with terrorism and proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction in the hands of non-state actors and terror groups. Dealing with these challenges requires decisive action,” he said, adding that those who sponsor, nurture and utilise terrorism for their narrow and selfish ends must bear the consequences.
In an oblique reference to Pakistan, Rajnath Singh said, “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.”
He further mentioned Operation Sindoor, saying that India launched it in response to the terror attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, exercising its right to defend against terrorism and pre-empt as well as deter further cross-border attacks.
“During the Pahalgam terror attack, victims were shot after they were profiled on religious identity. The Resistance Front, a proxy of UN-designated terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) claimed responsibility for the attack. The pattern of the Pahalgam attack matches with LeT’s previous terror attacks in India,” he said.
Story continues below this ad
“India’s zero tolerance for terrorism was demonstrated through its actions. It includes our right to defend ourselves against terrorism. We have shown that epicentres of terrorism are no longer safe and we will not hesitate to target them,” added Rajnath Singh.
He said there is a need to hold the perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of reprehensible acts of terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, accountable and bring them to justice.
Calling any and every act of terrorism criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivation, whenever, wherever and committed by whomever, he said SCO members must condemn this evil unequivocally while reaffirming India’s resolve to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
He further called for proactive steps to prevent the spread of radicalisation among the youth, acknowledging the significant role of the RATS mechanism in tackling the challenge. “The joint statement of the Council of SCO Heads of State on ‘Countering Radicalisation leading to Terrorism, Separatism and Extremism’ issued during India’s Chairmanship symbolises our shared commitment,” he stated.
Story continues below this ad
SCO was established in 2001. India became a full member of the regional inter-governmental organisation in 2017 and assumed the rotating chairmanship in 2023. China has assumed the Chair of the SCO for 2025. Besides India, the SCO membership includes Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran and Belarus.
Rajnath Singh addresses non-traditional security challenges
Rajnath Singh emphasised countering the technology used by terrorists, including drones for cross-border smuggling of weapons and drugs, pointing out that traditional borders are no longer the sole barriers against threats in this interconnected world.
He added that the world faces an intricate web of challenges, ranging from transnational terrorism and cyberattacks to hybrid warfare. He said these threats do not respect national boundaries and demand a unified response rooted in transparency, mutual trust, and collaboration.
He also spoke about non-traditional security challenges such as pandemics, climate change, food and water security, and associated societal disruptions that recognise no boundaries and impact peoples’ lives. He emphasised that these challenges cannot be addressed without responsible policies and international cooperation.
Story continues below this ad
He said that the member countries contribute around 30 per cent of the global GDP and about 40 per cent of the world’s population resides in them, adding that the creation of a safe, secure and stable region as a collective stake, which can contribute towards progress and improvement of peoples’ lives.
He further said that globalisation has been losing momentum, and the weakening of multilateral systems has made it harder to address urgent challenges, from maintaining peace and security to rebuilding economies after the pandemic. He said competition between major powers is intensifying, with trade and technology being increasingly used as tools in geopolitical rivalries.
“India believes that reformed multilateralism can help build cooperation to prevent conflict between countries by creating mechanisms for dialogue and collaboration,” he said.
Speaking about India’s commitment to increasing its connectivity with Central Asia, he said better connectivity not only enhances mutual trade but also fosters mutual trust.
Story continues below this ad
“However, in these efforts, it is essential to uphold the basic principles of the SCO charter, particularly respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states,” he said.
Adding that India has been consistent and steadfast in its policy in support of peace, security and stability in Afghanistan, he said India continues to implement capacity-building initiatives for the Afghan people.