At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh delivered a strong rebuke to nations that use cross-border terrorism as a policy tool, taking direct aim at Pakistan in light of recent terror attacks in India.
“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,” Singh said, in a clear reference to Islamabad.
Singh referenced the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 civilians, including a Nepali national, were killed. The attack was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), which India asserts is a proxy of Pakistan-based, UN-designated terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
“Victims were shot at after being profiled based on religious identity,” Singh said, describing the act as “dastardly and heinous.”
Singh disclosed that India exercised its right to self-defence and launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, to dismantle cross-border terror infrastructure.
“The epicentres of terrorism are no longer safe. We will not hesitate to target them,” he warned, reinforcing India’s zero-tolerance policy against terrorism.
Calling for joint efforts to counter radicalisation, Singh praised the SCO’s RATS mechanism (Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure) and referred to India’s 2023 initiative—a joint statement on combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism.
“We must take proactive steps to prevent the spread of radicalisation among our youth,” he stressed.
The SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting, held from June 25–26, brought together defence leaders from India, China, Russia, Pakistan, and Central Asian nations to discuss peace, security, and counterterrorism.
Singh is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from China, Russia, and others on the sidelines.
India, a full SCO member since 2017, views the organisation as vital for promoting multilateralism and regional cooperation, the Ministry of Defence noted. The SCO is currently chaired by China, under the 2025 theme: “Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move.”