Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Refuses to Endorse Joint Statement Over Terrorism Concerns

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took a decisive stance at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meet in Qingdao, China on Thursday, refusing to sign the joint statement after India objected to diluted language on terrorism. 

Image Source: Khushi Ram on X

The SCO, comprising ten member states including China, Russia, Pakistan and India, eventually scrapped the declaration altogether, underscoring the depth of the divergence.

Singh’s move reflected India’s consistent, uncompromising position on terrorism and strategic autonomy. 

In his address, he warned against the use of terrorism as a state policy—without naming Pakistan, but clearly referring to its continued support for cross-border terror. 

Citing the recent Pahalgam attack, which bore the signature of Lashkar-e-Taiba, Singh demanded that nations backing such acts face consequences.

He stated bluntly that there could be no tolerance or double standards when it comes to terrorism, and called on the SCO to condemn such support unequivocally. 

"Peace and prosperity cannot coexist with terror," Singh said, calling for united action to confront radicalisation, extremism, and proliferation of weapons among non-state actors.

India’s refusal to endorse the SCO joint communiqué is consistent with its earlier positions in multilateral forums. At the 2023 SCO summit, New Delhi declined to support sections endorsing China’s Belt and Road Initiative. 

It also opposed Beijing’s proposed BRICS currency basket, reflecting its careful efforts to assert its independent global outlook.

On the sidelines, Singh also met Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun to discuss enhancing military communication, including restarting the long-stalled India-China military hotline. 

This marks Singh’s first official visit to China since the deadly Galwan clash in 2020, signalling tentative steps toward dialogue amid lingering tensions.

India’s firm stand at the SCO has once again stated its clear red lines: zero tolerance on terrorism, no compromise on sovereignty, and commitment to rules-based cooperation — on its own terms.