Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday called upon the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to stand together in opposition to terrorism and punish its perpetrators and patrons.
Yet, he stopped short of endorsing the joint communique of the summit due to its not taking specific note of India's complaint about Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism.
As per those privy to the deliberations, the SCO operates on the consensus principle, and Singh's refusal to sign off on the document ensured that the conclave of defence ministers concluded without a formal joint statement.
The final document, according to sources, did not have an explicit and overall strategy to counter terrorism, and particularly cross-border terror—a concern area for India.
In his address to the conclave, Singh emphasized that there should be "no double standards" in combating terrorism, and exhorted all SCO countries to unite in clearly condemning the menace.
The eight-nation grouping consists of India, China, Pakistan, Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
In an indirect mention of Pakistan, Singh said some states persist in employing cross-border terrorism as a conscious tool of policy, offering havens to terrorists.
"The most significant challenges that we are confronted with in our region are peace, security and trust-deficit related," he stated.
"And the reason for all these issues is growing radicalisation, extremism and terrorism."
He emphasized that peace and development cannot develop at a time when terrorism and the threat of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) being acquired by non-state actors remain on the table.
"Addressing these issues calls for firm action, and we must join our efforts in combating these ills for our mutual security and safety," he added.
Singh further observed that those who "sponsor, harbor and exploit terrorism for their selfish and narrow purposes must face the implications."
He underlined the importance of opposing duplicity in the international war on terrorism and asserted that the SCO should not hesitate to criticize nations that exercise double standards in responding to such menaces.
Referring to the recent terror attack at Pahalgam, Singh stated that its trend was very much similar to previous attacks carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). He announced that India reacted through Operation Sindoor, exercising its sovereign right to defend itself and stop future cross-border hostilities.
"Victims were targeted after being profiled on religious identity during the terror attack at Pahalgam. The Resistance Front, the proxy organization of UN-listed terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has taken the responsibility for the attack," he said.
"The trend of the Pahalgam attack goes in sync with LeT's earlier terror attacks on Indian soil. India's zero tolerance towards terrorism was seen through its actions," he stated.
It encompasses our freedom to protect ourselves from terrorism. We have demonstrated that the centrestage of terrorism is no longer secure and we will never think twice about hitting them."
Singh underlined that all SCO member states should unequivocally condemn terrorism and expressed India's firm commitment to fight the plague in all its manifestations.
He also urged strong steps to avert the radicalisation of young people, invoking a past collective declaration adopted under India's SCO chairmanship on stemming radical ideologies leading to terrorism, separatism, and extremism.
"The joint statement of the Council of SCO Heads of State on 'Countering Radicalisation leading to Terrorism, Separatism and Extremism' adopted during India's chairmanship reflects our common commitment," he added.
The minister noted that the international security situation is becoming more complicated, with threats such as cross-border terrorism, cyber-attacks, and hybrid warfare that cut across national boundaries and need a unified response based on transparency, confidence, and mutual cooperation.
He also reaffirmed India's unequivocal support for enduring peace, stability, and security in Afghanistan.
Singh reached the Chinese port city on Wednesday to participate in the SCO Defence Ministers' Conclave.
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