New Delhi: In a bold move underscoring its unwavering stance against terrorism, India declined to endorse the joint statement at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting held in Qingdao, Shandong province, China, on June 26, 2025. The decision, led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, was driven by the draft statement’s failure to address the deadly Pahalgam terror attack of April 22, 2025, while including references to militant activities in Balochistan, Pakistan. This refusal resulted in the SCO meeting concluding without a joint declaration, a significant outcome given the organization’s requirement for full consensus among its 10 member states.
The SCO Meeting and India’s Stand
The SCO, comprising India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Belarus, is a critical regional organization representing 30% of global GDP and 40% of the world’s population. Established in 2001 in Shanghai, the SCO evolved from the “Shanghai Five” formed in 1996 to address regional security concerns following the dissolution of the USSR. Its Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) facilitates cooperation on counter-terrorism, making it a pivotal platform for India to advocate for stronger anti-terrorism measures.
At the Qingdao meeting, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized India’s commitment to fostering regional security and countering terrorism, aligning with the nation’s ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family) and the motto “One Earth, One Family, One Future.” However, the draft joint statement’s omission of the Pahalgam attack, which claimed 26 lives, including a Nepali national, and its inclusion of the Jaffar Express hijacking in Pakistan on March 11, 2025, by the Balochistan Liberation Army, prompted India’s refusal to sign. According to sources, Pakistan and China’s push to highlight Balochistan while ignoring Pahalgam was perceived as an attempt to dilute India’s position on terrorism and regional security.
In his address, Singh condemned the Pahalgam attack, carried out by The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the UN-designated terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). He noted that the victims were profiled based on religious identity before being shot, a pattern consistent with LeT’s previous attacks in India. “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,” Singh stated. He urged the SCO to take decisive action against countries that sponsor or shelter terrorists, criticizing “double standards” and calling for accountability.
India’s Zero-Tolerance Policy and Operation Sindoor
India’s refusal to sign the SCO statement reflects its zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism, a stance demonstrated through actions like Operation Sindoor. Launched on May 7, 2025, in response to the Pahalgam attack, this military operation targeted cross-border terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Singh highlighted the operation’s success, stating, “India’s zero tolerance for terrorism was demonstrated through its actions. We have shown that epicenters of terrorism are no longer safe, and we will not hesitate to target them.”
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) further clarified India’s position, stating, “The Defence Ministers’ meeting of SCO concluded without a joint statement due to a lack of consensus among member countries. India advocated for the inclusion of terrorism concerns in the document, but one country objected.” While the MEA did not explicitly name Pakistan, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, in a separate statement, pointedly remarked, “When the main purpose of the organization is to fight terrorism, and you are not allowing a reference to that, he [Rajnath Singh] expressed his unwillingness to accept… you can guess which one,” in a veiled critique of Pakistan.
Significance of India’s Action
Rajnath Singh’s refusal to sign the SCO draft statement carries profound implications, particularly in a China-dominated organization where Pakistan is a key ally. The SCO has historically been influenced by Russia and China, but with Russia preoccupied with the Ukraine conflict since 2022, China’s influence has grown. As the 2025 SCO chair, China hosted the Qingdao meeting, and its support for Pakistan was evident in the draft statement’s framing. Sources suggest Pakistan’s push to include the Balochistan incident was an attempt to shift blame to India, which has long been accused of supporting unrest in the region—a claim India denies.
Singh’s action underscores India’s consistent policy that “terrorism and business as usual can’t go together.” By refusing to endorse a statement that overlooked the Pahalgam attack while highlighting Balochistan, India sent a clear message: it will not compromise on its anti-terrorism stance, even in a multilateral forum like the SCO. This move aligns with India’s broader efforts to counter the China-Pakistan axis and address challenges like China’s silence on Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism and the perception of the SCO as an anti-Western grouping.
The Broader Role of the SCO for India
Beyond the immediate issue of the joint statement, the SCO holds significant strategic importance for India, which joined the organization in 2017 and held its rotating chairmanship in 2023. The SCO offers several opportunities:
- Fostering Regional Security: The SCO’s RATS provides a platform for India to collaborate on counter-terrorism, sharing intelligence and coordinating efforts to combat extremist groups. This is particularly crucial given India’s concerns about Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.
- Boosting Socioeconomic Ties: India has proposed initiatives like the SCO Young Scientists Conclave and the Special Working Group on Innovation and Startups to foster cooperation in science, technology, and entrepreneurship. These efforts strengthen economic and cultural ties among member states.
- Enhancing Regional Connectivity: Projects like the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), involving SCO members, are vital for improving trade and connectivity. These initiatives also serve as a counter to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which India opposes due to sovereignty concerns over projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
- Countering Western Hegemony: The SCO’s push for trade in national currencies rather than the US dollar aligns with India’s interest in reducing dependence on Western-dominated financial systems, offering an alternative framework for global trade.
However, India faces challenges within the SCO, including the China-Pakistan axis, China’s reluctance to address Pakistan’s role in cross-border terrorism, and the perception of the SCO as an anti-Western bloc. These issues complicate India’s efforts to shape the organization’s agenda in line with its priorities.
Bilateral Engagements and Future Outlook
On the sidelines of the SCO meeting, Rajnath Singh held discussions with the defense ministers of Russia, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Belarus, reinforcing India’s diplomatic engagement within the organization. These meetings focused on strengthening bilateral defense ties and exploring areas of mutual interest, such as counter-terrorism and regional stability.
The SCO Council of Heads of State is scheduled to meet in Tianjin, China, in the autumn of 2025, where India’s stance on terrorism is likely to remain a focal point. Observers note that India’s refusal to sign the joint statement could set the stage for tougher negotiations at the upcoming summit, as New Delhi continues to push for a stronger anti-terrorism framework within the SCO.
Jaishankar’s Support and Broader Implications
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar strongly backed Singh’s decision, emphasizing that the SCO was founded to combat terrorism. Speaking on June 27, 2025, Jaishankar said, “SCO runs with unanimity. So Rajnath ji clearly said that if there is no mention of terrorism in the statement, we will not sign it.” His remarks highlighted the organization’s core purpose and India’s frustration with attempts to sideline terrorism-related concerns.
The absence of a joint statement at the SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting marks a rare disruption in the organization’s proceedings, given its consensus-driven approach. It also underscores the growing tensions between India and Pakistan within the SCO, exacerbated by China’s alignment with Islamabad. India’s actions signal its determination to hold the line on terrorism, even at the cost of multilateral consensus.
Conclusion
India’s refusal to sign the SCO joint statement in Qingdao on June 26, 2025, is a testament to its resolute anti-terrorism stance and its commitment to regional security. By rejecting a document that omitted the Pahalgam attack while highlighting Balochistan, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh sent a powerful message about India’s priorities. The move, supported by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, reinforces India’s leadership in advocating for a terrorism-free world, even within a complex multilateral framework like the SCO. As the organization prepares for its next summit, India’s actions will likely shape discussions on terrorism, security, and regional cooperation, underscoring its growing influence on the global stage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why did India refuse to sign the SCO joint statement in Qingdao on June 26, 2025?
India, led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, declined to endorse the joint statement at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting because it omitted reference to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists. The draft statement included the Jaffar Express hijacking in Pakistan but ignored India’s concerns about terrorism, particularly Pakistan-sponsored cross-border attacks. India viewed this as an attempt to dilute its stance on terrorism and regional security, prompting Singh to withhold India’s approval, as SCO rules require full consensus for a joint declaration.
2. What is the significance of India’s stance at the SCO meeting?
India’s refusal to sign the joint statement underscores its zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism and its commitment to ensuring that the SCO, an organization founded to combat terrorism, addresses such issues explicitly. The move highlights India’s resistance to the China-Pakistan axis within the SCO and its determination to uphold its anti-terrorism stance, even in a China-dominated forum. By preventing a joint communique, India sent a strong message that it will not compromise on critical security issues, reinforcing its leadership in advocating for regional stability.
3. What was the Pahalgam terror attack, and why was it central to India’s position?
The Pahalgam terror attack occurred on April 22, 2025, in Jammu and Kashmir, where The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the UN-designated Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), killed 26 civilians, including a Nepali national, after profiling victims based on religious identity. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted the attack’s similarity to LeT’s previous operations and emphasized India’s response through Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, 2025, to dismantle terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan. The attack’s omission from the SCO draft statement was seen as an attempt to downplay Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, prompting India’s refusal to sign.
4. How does the SCO benefit India, and what challenges does it face within the organization?
The SCO offers India several strategic advantages, including enhanced regional security through the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), socioeconomic cooperation via initiatives like the SCO Young Scientists Conclave, and improved connectivity through projects like the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). It also provides a platform to counter Western-dominated institutions by promoting trade in national currencies. However, India faces challenges such as the China-Pakistan axis, China’s silence on Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, and the perception of the SCO as an anti-Western bloc, which complicates India’s efforts to align the organization with its priorities.
5. What are the broader implications of India’s refusal to sign the SCO statement?
India’s action at the SCO meeting disrupted the organization’s consensus-driven process, highlighting tensions with Pakistan and China. It reinforces India’s global stance that “terrorism and business as usual can’t go together,” potentially influencing future SCO discussions, particularly at the upcoming Council of Heads of State meeting in Tianjin in autumn 2025. The move also signals India’s growing assertiveness in multilateral forums, as it seeks to hold countries accountable for sponsoring terrorism and to strengthen regional security frameworks, despite opposition from key SCO members.
