In China, Rajnath Singh declines to endorse the SCO statement that omits Pahalgam yet references Balochistan.
According to news agencies on June 26, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh declined to endorse a joint statement at a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting, as it omitted reference to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 that resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals, primarily tourists.
While omitting any reference to Pahalgam, the document noted Balochistan, implicitly blaming India for generating turmoil in the region, as reported by NDTV, citing sources. According to sources cited in the NDTV report, Singh declined to sign the document, as it ‘would have diluted India’s stand.’
According to news agency ANI, sources reported that “India is not satisfied with the language of the joint document, as it did not mention the terrorist attack in Pahalgam but included references to incidents in Pakistan. Consequently, India refused to sign the joint declaration, and there is no joint communique.”
According to the NDTV report, Pahalgam was excluded from the document at Pakistan’s request, as China’s all-weather ally currently holds the SCO Chair.
As Singh firmly upheld India’s position on terrorism and Pahalgam, no joint statement was released following the meeting, according to sources citing various media organizations.
India has consistently dismissed Pakistan’s claims regarding its involvement in Balochistan, stating that Islamabad should examine its own actions and cease supporting terrorism instead of making unfounded accusations.
Member states, such as Russia, Pakistan, and China, are participating in the summit in China’s Qingdao to address matters concerning regional and international security. The summit was also attended by Khawaja Asif, Pakistan’s defense minister.
Need to hold the perpetrators accountable: Singh
While addressing the SCO meet earlier, Singh denounced terrorism and stressed the importance of ensuring that those responsible for terrorist acts—such as perpetrators, organizers, funders, and backers—are held accountable and brought to justice.
“We emphasize the necessity of holding accountable and bringing to justice those responsible for, facilitating, funding, and endorsing acts of terrorism that are deserving of condemnation, including cross-border terrorism. Terrorism is always a crime and cannot be justified, no matter what the motive, when it occurs, or who perpetrates it. Rajnath Singh stated, “SCO members must condemn this evil without reservation.”
Singh underscored the recent Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, perpetrated by ‘The Resistance Front’ (TRF), a proxy of the UN-designated terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
“On 22 April 2025, the terrorist organization ‘The Resistance Front’ (TRF) perpetrated a vile and atrocious assault on unsuspecting tourists in Pahalgam, located in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Twenty-six non-combatants, among them one individual of Nepali nationality, lost their lives. People were shot at after being identified as victims based on their religious identity. Singh added, “The Resistance Front, which acts as a proxy for the UN-designated terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), took responsibility for the assault.
On 7 May 2025, Singh announced that India had successfully initiated Operation Sindoor to dismantle cross-border terrorist infrastructure.
“The modus operandi of the Pahalgam terror attack is consistent with previous attacks by LeT in India. Singh stated, “In exercising its right to defend against terrorism and to preempt and deter further cross-border terrorist attacks, India successfully launched Operation Sindoor on 7 May 2025 to dismantle cross-border terrorist infrastructure.”
Singh reiterated India’s commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms, emphasizing that it is a transnational threat requiring a united response from countries.
These threats transcend national borders and necessitate a unified response based on transparency, mutual trust, and collaboration.
Singh stressed that it is necessary to take proactive measures to stop radicalization from spreading among young people. In this context, the minister underscored the important function of the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) mechanism.
“It is important that we take preventative action to ensure radicalization does not spread among our youth. In this context, the RATS mechanism of SCO has been important. Singh added, “The joint statement of the Council of SCO Heads of State on ‘Countering Radicalization Leading to Terrorism, Separatism, and Extremism’ issued during India’s Chairmanship symbolizes our shared commitment.”
Defense leaders from SCO member states, such as India, China, Russia, and various Central Asian countries, convene for a two-day meeting to deliberate on matters concerning regional and international peace and security.
Terrorism is always a crime and cannot be justified, no matter what the motive, when it occurs, or who perpetrates it.
Founded in 2001, the SCO is an intergovernmental organization that seeks to foster regional stability and security via cooperation and dialogue. In 2017, India became a full member, and in 2023, it held the rotating chairmanship. China will take on the role of Chair in 2025 with the theme ‘Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move.’