India Refuses to Sign SCO Joint Statement over Silence on Pakistan-Sponsored Terrorism
- TPP
- Jun 26
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 27
On June 26, 2025, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Qingdao, China, India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took a strong stand by refusing to sign the draft joint statement. This decision was primarily in protest against the document’s omission of the Pahalgam terror attack, which occurred on April 22, 2025, while it notably included a reference to militant activity in Balochistan, specifically the Jaffar Express hijacking in March.
The SCO, a regional intergovernmental organisation formed in 2001, functions on a consensus-based model—meaning all member countries must agree for a statement or decision to be adopted. As a result of India’s objection, no joint communique was issued at the end of the meeting. India, which became a full SCO member in 2017, had held the rotating chairmanship in 2023, with China taking over for 2025 under the theme “Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move.”
India’s Objection: Silence on Pahalgam Terror Attack
In his address, Rajnath Singh condemned the Pahalgam terror attack—describing it as a “dastardly and heinous” act carried out by The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy group of the UN-designated terror organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The attack resulted in the deaths of 26 innocent civilians, including a Nepali national, in Jammu and Kashmir. According to Singh, the victims were targeted based on religious identity, marking a disturbing pattern similar to LeT’s past attacks in India.
In response to this brutal assault, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, a targeted counter-terror operation aimed at dismantling cross-border terrorist infrastructure. Singh reiterated that India’s right to self-defence is aligned with international norms, particularly when facing cross-border terrorism. He stated, “India has shown that epicentres of terrorism are no longer safe, and we will not hesitate to target them.”
SCO and the Problem of Double Standards
Singh expressed discontent with the SCO’s selective acknowledgment of terror incidents—criticizing the mention of unrest in Balochistan while remaining silent on the Pahalgam attack, despite its clear international implications. He emphasized that “There should be no place for double standards” when it comes to counter-terrorism efforts, directly alluding to Pakistan, which he accused of using cross-border terrorism as an instrument of state policy and of harbouring terrorist elements.
Regional and Global Security Concerns
Calling terrorism, radicalisation, and extremism the region’s most serious threats, Singh stressed the need for decisive, collective action. He reaffirmed India’s zero-tolerance policy for terrorism, urging member states to hold perpetrators, financiers, and sponsors of terrorism accountable. He added, “Every act of terrorism is criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of motivation, perpetrator, or location.”
He also cited the SCO Council of Heads of State’s earlier joint statement on 'Countering Radicalisation leading to Terrorism, Separatism and Extremism', issued under India’s chairmanship, as an example of the group’s shared commitment, urging consistency in such messaging.
Singh noted the role of the RATS mechanism—Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure, a dedicated SCO body to coordinate counter-terror efforts—urging further use of its capabilities to track and prevent radicalisation, especially among the youth.
Emerging Threats: Technology, Hybrid Warfare, and Non-Traditional Challenges
Highlighting evolving threats, the Defence Minister drew attention to the increasing use of technology by terrorist organisations, such as drones for smuggling weapons and drugs. He explained that traditional geographic borders are no longer sufficient to protect nations, given the transnational nature of threats like cyber-attacks and hybrid warfare (which combines conventional warfare with cyber, disinformation, and other non-traditional tactics).
Singh also addressed non-traditional security challenges such as pandemics, climate change, and food and water security, noting that these issues know no borders and deeply impact human development. He called for responsible international policies and enhanced multilateral cooperation to effectively address such global disruptions.
Reforming Multilateralism and Promoting Connectivity
Amidst growing global geopolitical rivalries, Singh argued that multilateralism—where multiple countries cooperate on global issues—must be reformed to better handle present-day crises. He warned that globalisation is losing momentum, and weakening international systems make it harder to maintain peace and security or rebuild economies post-pandemic.
He further advocated for greater connectivity with Central Asia, a strategic move to boost trade, trust, and regional stability. However, he cautioned that such efforts must respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all member states, in accordance with the SCO Charter.
Broader Significance of SCO
With 10 member nations, including India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and now Belarus, the SCO represents around 40% of the global population and contributes 30% to global GDP. Singh underlined that maintaining a safe, stable, and secure region is a collective responsibility that can significantly advance the welfare and progress of the people.
He concluded by congratulating Belarus on its formal induction into the SCO and reiterated India’s continued support for capacity-building initiatives in Afghanistan, consistent with its long-standing policy for regional peace and development.
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