Qingdao (China), June 26 – The meeting of Defence Ministers under the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) ended without a joint statement after India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh refused to endorse the final document, citing its weak language on terrorism.
Highly placed sources revealed that China and Pakistan attempted to sideline the issue of cross-border terrorism and push a narrative that downplayed regional security threats. However, Rajnath Singh stood firm, referencing the recent terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of innocent civilians, including tourists.
The Indian Defence Minister made it clear that New Delhi will not be a signatory to any document that fails to recognize terrorism as the region’s most serious threat. “Terrorism cannot be brushed under the carpet for the sake of diplomatic niceties,” Singh reportedly told the gathering.
India’s principled stand was praised by security analysts who noted that this refusal to sign a joint communiqué sends a strong message — that India will not compromise on its national interest or its security concerns, regardless of pressure from regional players.
This marks a rare occasion when a key SCO meeting concluded without a consensus document. Analysts say this underscores the deep fault lines within the grouping, particularly over issues related to terrorism and regional stability.
Rajnath Singh also emphasized the need for all SCO members to adopt a unified, uncompromising stance on terrorism, and warned against the use of terror as a tool of state policy. Without naming Pakistan, he stated that “some countries continue to shelter terrorists while preaching peace.”
The Defence Ministers’ meeting was attended by representatives from China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and India.
India’s firm position reflects its growing assertiveness on global and regional platforms, particularly when it comes to matters of national security and sovereignty.
While the absence of a joint statement is diplomatically significant, it also highlights the challenge SCO faces in achieving unity on core security issues. For India, however, the outcome reaffirms its commitment to fighting terrorism and protecting its strategic interests.
