Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday urged Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism, calling on the bloc to condemn nations that support cross-border terrorism.
Speaking at the SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Qingdao, China, Singh declared, “We have shown that epicentres of terrorism are no longer safe, and we will not hesitate to target them.”
Without naming any country, Singh criticised those that use terrorism as a tool of foreign policy while offering shelter to terrorists.
“There should be no place for such double standards. SCO should not hesitate to criticise such nations,” he stated, reinforcing India’s consistent stand on the issue.
In his address, Singh also touched upon the changing global order and diminishing momentum of globalisation. He advocated for reformed multilateralism, saying that no single country—however powerful—can manage the world’s challenges alone.
“The very idea of multilateralism assumes that nations must work together for mutual benefit. This reflects our ancient Sanskrit principle: Sarve Jana Sukhino Bhavantu — peace and prosperity for all,” he said.
Singh was welcomed to the venue by Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun, with whom he later posed for an official group photograph alongside other SCO counterparts. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif arrived shortly after.
The Indian Defence Minister is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from China, Russia, and other participating countries on the sidelines of the summit.
A press release by India’s Ministry of Defence highlighted that Singh would reaffirm India’s dedication to SCO’s founding principles—including sovereignty, territorial integrity, mutual respect, and non-interference.
The SCO, founded in 2001, includes members such as India, China, Russia, Pakistan, and Central Asian nations. India became a full member in 2017 and held the rotating chairmanship in 2023. China currently holds the Chair for 2025, under the theme “Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move.”
Singh concluded his speech by underlining the need for greater regional cooperation, not just in defence but also in trade, infrastructure, and people-to-people exchanges.
