Rajnath Singh’s Bold Move Shocks Global Diplomacy

In a dramatic diplomatic move, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh refused to sign the Joint Statement at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit held in China on Thursday. Singh’s decision came after SCO member nations failed to support India’s strong push for a clear condemnation of cross-border terrorism in the final declaration.

India’s Stand on Terrorism Uncompromising

Addressing the summit, Singh strongly criticised countries that provide safe havens to terrorists, declaring that terrorism must not be used as a policy tool. “Those who are guilty of terrorism, its perpetrators, financiers and sponsors, must be held accountable. There should be no double standards in this regard,” Singh stated.

He also referenced the recent terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam region, emphasising that such attacks are not isolated incidents. “The modus operandi of this attack is similar to previous ones, many of which have originated from across the border and have been claimed by Lashkar-e-Taiba,” Singh noted.

India Demands Stronger Language in Joint Declaration

India had proposed that the joint declaration include a clause on cross-border terrorism. However, the suggestion was not welcomed by all member nations, leading to India’s refusal to endorse the final document. This marks a significant deviation from the usual consensus-driven approach of the SCO and highlights growing rifts within the regional bloc.

No Bilateral Meeting with Pakistan Amid High Tensions

Rajnath Singh also declined a proposed bilateral meeting with Pakistani Defence Minister Khwaja Asif. The diplomatic chill comes in the wake of heightened tensions following the deadly Pahalgam attack last month, which saw militants target an Indian Army convoy, resulting in one death and another injury.

India’s Retaliation: Operation Sindoor

Following the Pahalgam attack, India launched a retaliatory operation dubbed “Operation Sindoor,” targeting Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and border installations. The military escalation resulted in the death of a Pakistani soldier and the capture of another. This tit-for-tat action led to the suspension of planned India-Pakistan bilateral talks, further straining ties between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

India’s Message to SCO: No Tolerance for Terrorism

Singh made it clear that India will not tolerate terrorism in any form and reserves the right to exercise self-defence. He urged fellow SCO member states to adopt a unified and uncompromising stance against terrorism, calling it a grave threat to humanity and regional peace.

India Pressures Regional Forums on Terrorism

India’s tough stance at the SCO summit aligns with its broader diplomatic approach to counter global terrorism. Over recent years, India has consistently raised the issue of terrorism at international platforms, and the move at the SCO summit underscores its determination to press the matter at regional levels as well.

The refusal to sign the joint statement marks a rare and significant instance of India breaking ranks at an important regional summit, underlining the country’s unwavering position on combating terrorism.

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