Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took a firm stand during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao, refusing to endorse a joint declaration that sources say would have diluted India’s uncompromising position on terrorism.
According to official sources, China and Pakistan reportedly sought to exclude any reference to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, while pushing to highlight the Jaffar Express hijack incident. With no consensus reached, India declined to sign the final document.
In his address, Singh strongly criticised nations that shelter terrorists and use cross-border terrorism as a state policy. “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 said.
Referring to the Pahalgam attack, Singh reminded the SCO members of the brutality of the incident. “On April 22, 2025, the terror group ‘The Resistance Front’ carried out 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 said.
He highlighted that the group responsible is a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a UN-designated terrorist organisation. Singh also reiterated India’s right to self-defence, referring to the military response under Operation Sindoor launched on May 7, 2025. “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,” he declared.
Singh urged SCO nations to collectively act against radicalisation and terrorism, stating, “We must take proactive steps to prevent the spread of radicalisation among our youth.”
Before heading to China, the Defence Minister was extensively briefed at the Northern Command headquarters in Udhampur by top Army officers, including Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi and Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Pratik Sharma. The briefing focused on security in Jammu and Kashmir, counter-terror operations, and preparations for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra.
Rajnath Singh’s actions in Qingdao highlight India’s consistent and resolute position on combating terrorism, even in multilateral forums where diplomatic balancing acts are common. His stand is expected to resonate strongly across both domestic and international audiences.
