Qingdao, China | June 26, 2025 — Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, while addressing the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Qingdao, took a principled stand by refusing to endorse a joint document that, according to sources, would have compromised India’s established position on terrorism.
Singh is reported to have declined to sign the draft declaration after it failed to adequately reflect India’s firm stance on cross-border terrorism and its long-standing policy of zero tolerance toward those who abet or provide sanctuary to terrorist groups.
Reaffirming India’s commitment to regional peace and security, the Defence Minister specifically raised the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 tourists lost their lives. Singh underscored the gravity of the incident, linking it to a broader pattern of cross-border terrorism emanating from actors shielded by hostile states.
He reiterated India's call for international accountability, stating that nations using terrorism as a tool of foreign policy must face consequences. “Countries that shelter, support, or justify terrorism should not find space or silence within multilateral platforms,” Singh asserted during the session.
India’s decision not to sign the document signals a consistent and uncompromising diplomatic approach on matters of national security and counterterrorism, while also reinforcing its broader geopolitical message within regional alliances.
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