Rajnath Singh Slams Pakistan at SCO Meet, Calls for United Stand Against Terror

At the defense Ministers gathering in China, India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh Slams  Pakistan at SCO  Meet, Calls for United Stand Against Terror. At a high-profile gathering of defense leaders from Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states, India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh delivered a sharp and uncompromising message on terrorism, regional peace, and multilateral cooperation.

Speaking in the presence of Pakistan Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Singh said there must be “no place for double standards” on terrorism and directly criticised nations that use cross-border terror as a state policy.

Rajnath Singh Slams Pakistan at SCO Meet, Calls for United Stand Against Terror

“Peace Cannot Coexist With Terrorism”: Rajnath Singh’s Hard-Hitting Message

In a hard-hitting address, Singh stressed that terrorism is the single biggest threat facing the region today. “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,” he said.

Singh’s remarks were made at the 22nd SCO Defense Ministers’ Meeting being held in Qingdao, a key Chinese port city that also houses a major naval base.

Highlighting the root causes of regional instability, Singh emphasized the need to counter radicalisation, extremism, and the trust deficit between countries.

He called for “decisive action” and collective unity among SCO member states to fight the scourge of terrorism.

Sharp Swipe at Pakistan Amidst Regional Tensions

Without directly naming Pakistan initially, Singh made it clear who he was referring to: “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 reminded the SCO members about the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir where 26 innocent civilians including a Nepali national were killed in a brutal assault by The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the UN-designated terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

Operation Sindoor: India’s Counter-Terror Response

Singh also spoke about Operation Sindoor, India’s retaliatory and preemptive military action to dismantle terror infrastructure across the border.

Launched on May 7, 2025, this operation specifically targeted bases linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba. “The pattern of the Pahalgam attack matched LeT’s earlier operations.

In defending against terrorism, India successfully launched Operation Sindoor to dismantle cross-border terrorist infrastructure,” he noted, underscoring India’s right to self-defence.

Strong Push for Collective Action Against Terrorism

Rajnath Singh urged SCO countries to take a unified and consistent stand against terrorism:

“Any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivation, whenever, wherever, and by whomsoever committed. SCO members must condemn this evil unequivocally.”

He called for holding terror sponsors, financiers, and organizers accountable, stating that no nation should be allowed to evade responsibility by hiding behind political motives.

India Reaffirms Commitment to Peace in Afghanistan

Singh also took the opportunity to reiterate India’s steadfast support for peace, stability, and development in Afghanistan.

Calling India Afghanistan’s largest regional development partner, he said, “Our immediate priorities include providing humanitarian aid and contributing to Afghanistan’s overall development.”

India has consistently invested in capacity-building projects, medical infrastructure, and education programs in Afghanistan, and continues to support the nation through both bilateral and regional platforms like the SCO.

Championing Multilateralism and Regional Connectivity

Speaking to the broader vision of global cooperation, Singh advocated for reformed multilateralism, stating that today’s interconnected world demands joint responses to challenges such as terrorism, cyber threats, and hybrid warfare.

“No country, however large and powerful, can manage alone. We must work together for mutual and collective benefit,” Singh said.

He also reinforced India’s commitment to regional connectivity, particularly with Central Asia, highlighting that trade and connectivity enhance not only prosperity but mutual trust as long as the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations are respected.

India Urges SCO to Stay True to Founding Principles

Singh’s speech reiterated India’s deep commitment to the principles of the SCO Charter: sovereignty, territorial integrity, mutual respect, and non-interference in internal affairs. “Mutual understanding and mutual benefit must be our guiding principles,” he said.

The SCO, founded in 2001, has evolved into a significant multilateral platform for political, economic, and security cooperation. India became a full member in 2017 and hosted the rotating presidency in 2023.

A Strategic Gathering Amid Global Unrest

The SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting came amid rising global tensions, including the fragile Iran-Israel ceasefire, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and a parallel NATO summit in The Hague, where members pledged increased defence spending.

Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun, while hosting the summit, described the world as facing “chaos and instability” and criticised hegemonic and unilateral behaviour.

He called for member states to “safeguard international fairness and justice” through strengthened cooperation.

Presence of Key Players: China, Russia, Iran, Pakistan

The summit brought together major players, including Russia’s Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, Iranian Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, and Pakistan’s Khawaja Asif.

The presence of all these nations highlighted the SCO’s increasing relevance in shaping non-Western multilateralism. China and Russia both used the summit to reaffirm their close strategic ties.

Pakistan, meanwhile, praised China for “preventing recent regional tensions from escalating,” further emphasizing the Beijing-Islamabad alliance.

India Calls for Unified Regional Response

In closing, Rajnath Singh urged SCO members to walk in lockstep and rise above geopolitical divisions to address common threats.

“We must collectively aspire to fulfil the aspirations and expectations of our people and tackle today’s challenges. Only through unity can we ensure peace and security in our neighbourhood,” he stated.

India’s participation in the SCO is more than symbolic it underscores its role as a key stakeholder in regional stability and global multilateralism.

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Also Read: No Safe Havens For Terror: Rajnath Singh Slams Pakistan, Justifies Op Sindoor At SCO Meet