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In a decisive move resonating with India's unwavering stand against terrorism, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh refused to sign the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) joint declaration at the Defence Ministers’ meeting held in Qingdao, China. The cause? A glaring omission of the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 innocent lives, and an insinuation against India by mentioning unrest in Balochistan—widely seen as a diplomatic slight shaped by Pakistani influence, with tacit Chinese support.
India Pushes Back Against Double Standards on Terror
The Defence Ministry revealed that the language of the draft communique failed to meet India’s expectations. While the document included references to incidents in Pakistan, it completely ignored the deadly Pahalgam attack perpetrated by The Resistance Front—an offshoot of the UN-designated terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). This selective outrage signaled to New Delhi that the joint statement was imbalanced and politically manipulated.
“India is not satisfied with the language of the joint document. There was no mention of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam... so India refused to sign the joint declaration,” said a senior Defence Ministry official.
Calling Out Cross-Border Terrorism
In his address to SCO counterparts, Singh minced no words. Without naming names, he underscored the need to confront and condemn state-backed terrorism, calling on SCO members to abandon “double standards.”
“Peace and prosperity cannot co-exist with terrorism... those who sponsor, nurture and utilise terrorism for their narrow and selfish ends must bear the consequences,” Singh asserted, in a pointed remark that alluded unmistakably to Pakistan.
Singh’s remarks also touched on the broader regional implications of terror networks, warning that inaction or selective responses could jeopardize regional stability—one of SCO’s founding objectives.
Pahalgam Attack: A Grim Reminder of Terror’s Reach
Referring directly to the recent Pahalgam attack, Singh detailed the premeditated nature of the killings, where victims were reportedly profiled based on religious identity before being executed. “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 said.
His statement reinforced India’s right to self-defence, including the ability to deter future attacks through decisive action. This aligns with the broader narrative post-Operation Sindoor, where India launched an extensive diplomatic outreach across capitals to solidify international support for its anti-terror stance.
A Stand in Line With India’s Global Messaging
India’s decision not to endorse the joint statement was not an isolated diplomatic maneuver but part of a coherent strategy. In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, the government dispatched multiple delegations to communicate its counterterrorism doctrine. This refusal to sign a compromised document sends a powerful signal to both adversaries and allies: India will not legitimize narratives that dilute its national security concerns.
A New Chapter in Regional Diplomacy?
As the SCO continues to evolve with 10 member states—including China, Pakistan, Russia, and newly joined Belarus—the forum’s relevance hinges on its ability to address shared security concerns without bias. India’s principled stand at Qingdao serves as both a warning and a wake-up call. For regional cooperation to thrive, acknowledging all victims of terrorism—without fear or favor—must be the first step.
