Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has called on the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states to firmly denounce the heinous Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, underlining that terrorism in any form is ‘criminal and unjustifiable’.
Speaking at the SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao, China, Singh recalled the 22 April attack in Pahalgam, where 26 tourists lost their lives in an assault by ‘The Resistance Front’, linked to the Pakistan-based UN-designated terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba.
The Defence Minister noted that the tactics of the attack were consistent with previous Lashkar-e-Taiba strikes in India.
He highlighted India’s response, stating, “In exercising its right to defend against terrorism and pre-empt as well as deter further cross-border terrorist attacks, India on May 7, 2025, successfully launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ to dismantle cross-border terrorist infrastructure.”
Call for accountability and justice
Reiterating the need for accountability, Singh insisted, “We reiterate the need to hold the perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of reprehensible acts of terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, accountable and bring them to justice. Any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivation, whenever, wherever and by whomever committed.”
“SCO members must condemn this evil unequivocally,” the Defence Minister noted.
Singh further called for unified and resolute action against terrorism and the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) in the hands of non-state actors and terrorist groups.
He emphasised that peace and prosperity cannot thrive alongside terror, identifying radicalisation, extremism, and a growing trust deficit as major challenges facing the region.
“I believe that the biggest challenges that we are facing in our region are related to peace, security and trust deficit. And the root cause of these problems is increasing radicalisation, extremism and terrorism,” the Minister remarked.
He further added, “Peace and prosperity cannot co-exist with terrorism and proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction in the hands of non-State actors and terror groups,” stressing the need for collective resolve to ensure safety for all.
Singh warned that those who sponsor and use terrorism for selfish ends ‘must bear the consequences’.
The Defence Minister condemned countries that use cross-border terrorism as state policy tools and provide shelter to terrorists, asserting that the SCO ‘should not hesitate to criticise such nations’.
“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 remarked.
India’s firm stand on terrorism
Reaffirming India’s zero tolerance on terrorism, the Minister stated, “India’s zero tolerance for terrorism is manifest today through its actions. This includes our right to defend ourselves against terrorism. We have shown that epicentres of terrorism are no longer safe, and we will not hesitate to target them.”
Highlighting global efforts to prevent youth radicalisation, Singh praised the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) for its coordination role, noting the joint statement issued under India’s SCO chairmanship on ‘Countering Radicalisation leading to Terrorism, Separatism and Extremism’ as a sign of shared commitment.
He called on members to counter terrorists’ use of modern technology, especially drones used for smuggling weapons and narcotics.
“In our interconnected world, traditional borders are no longer the sole barriers against threats. Instead, we face an intricate web of challenges that range from transnational terrorism and cyber-attacks to hybrid warfare,” the Minister remarked.
He further added, “These threats do not respect national boundaries, and they demand a unified response rooted in transparency, mutual trust, and collaboration.”
Singh highlighted the significance of multilateralism, stating, “India believes that reformed multilateralism can help build cooperation to prevent conflict between countries by creating mechanisms for dialogue and collaboration. No country, however large and powerful, can manage alone,” invoking the ancient Indian wish, ‘Sarve Jana Sukhino Bhavantu’ (May all people be happy).
Support for peace in Afghanistan
Rajnath Singh reiterated India’s unwavering support for peace and development in Afghanistan, noting ongoing humanitarian aid and capacity-building as India remains Afghanistan’s largest regional development partner.
Concluding, Singh called for enhanced cooperation and trust among SCO members to meet the aspirations of their peoples and tackle contemporary challenges.
“India supports greater cooperation and mutual trust among SCO members. We should collectively aspire to fulfil the aspirations and expectations of our people as well as tackle today’s challenges. We must all be in lockstep in our endeavour to strengthen stability and security in our neighbourhood,” the Minister affirmed.
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