New Delhi: In a bold diplomatic move that has sent shockwaves through the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Defence Minister Rajnath Singh refused to sign the summit's joint statement in China, citing its deliberate exclusion of the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 innocent lives. Singh's refusal came after China and Pakistan attempted to dilute India's stance on terrorism in the official document.
China-Pakistan Axis Attempts to Silence India
The controversial joint statement, while conveniently omitting any reference to the brutal Pahalgam attack, included mentions of Balochistan—a clear attempt to shift blame onto India for regional instability. Sources revealed that the SCO chair China, along with its "all-weather friend" Pakistan, tried to divert attention from terrorism in the official document.
Singh's principled stand effectively means there will be no unified joint statement from the defence ministers' meeting in Qingdao, marking a significant diplomatic rupture within the 10-member bloc that includes Belarus, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
India's Zero-Tolerance Message to Terror Sponsors
At the SCO Defence Ministers' meeting in Qingdao, Singh strongly condemned countries that use cross-border terrorism as a policy tool and provide shelter to terrorists. His address was a thinly-veiled attack on Pakistan's state-sponsored terrorism policies.
"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," Singh declared. He emphasized that countries using cross-border terrorism as an instrument of policy must face consequences, stating there should be "no place for such double standards."
Pahalgam Attack: A Deliberate Act of Religious Profiling
Singh highlighted the recent Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, carried out by 'The Resistance Front' (TRF), a proxy of the UN-designated terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The Defence Minister revealed disturbing details about how victims were systematically profiled and shot based on their religious identity.
"The pattern of Pahalgam attack matches with LeT's previous terror attacks in India," Singh stated, connecting the dots between Pakistan's terror infrastructure and the recent massacre. He made it clear that India had exercised its legitimate right to defend against terrorism through Operation Sindoor, the military response that followed the attack.
Operation Sindoor: India's Strong Response
Singh's reference to Operation Sindoor served as a stark warning to terror sponsors. "India's zero tolerance for terrorism was demonstrated through its actions. We have shown that epicentres of terrorism are no longer safe and we will not hesitate to target them," he declared, making it clear that India would continue to pursue terrorists across borders.
At the SCO meet in Qingdao, Singh said India will not hesitate to target terrorism epicentres and has shown they are no longer safe. This statement reflects India's new doctrine of proactive counter-terrorism operations.
Global Diplomatic Outreach
The Defence Minister's strong stance at the SCO meeting aligns with India's broader diplomatic strategy. Following Operation Sindoor, New Delhi dispatched eight high-level delegations to countries worldwide to articulate India's position on terrorism and its future counter-terror plans.
This comprehensive diplomatic outreach demonstrates India's commitment to building international consensus against state-sponsored terrorism, particularly Pakistan's continued support for terror groups targeting Indian interests.
SCO's Anti-Terror Mechanism Under Scrutiny
Singh called upon SCO members to unite against terrorism for collective security, emphasizing that radicalisation, extremism, and terrorism are the root causes of regional instability. He stressed the need to hold perpetrators, organisers, financiers, and sponsors of terror accountable through international legal mechanisms.
The Defence Minister's refusal to compromise on the joint statement sends a clear message that India will not allow multilateral forums to be used for whitewashing terrorism or creating false equivalencies between terror attacks and legitimate defensive operations.
Regional Implications
Singh's bold diplomatic stand reflects India's growing confidence in confronting China-Pakistan collusion within international organisations. By refusing to sign a diluted statement, India has demonstrated it will not sacrifice its core security interests for diplomatic niceties.
This incident highlights the fundamental contradictions within the SCO, where members are expected to cooperate against terrorism while some continue to sponsor it. India's stance may force other member nations to choose between appeasing terror sponsors and upholding genuine counter-terrorism commitments.
