Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday participated in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao, becoming the first senior Indian minister to visit China since the violent standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) began in May 2020. His presence marks a significant step in cautious diplomatic re-engagement between India and China after years of limited contact.
Singh made a forceful statement at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' meeting in Qingdao on Thursday, warning that states using terrorism for political ends must be held accountable.
“It is imperative that those who sponsor, nurture and utilise terrorism for their narrow and selfish ends must bear the consequences,” Singh said.
“Some countries use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of policy and provide shelter to terrorists. There should be no place for such double standards. SCO should not hesitate to criticise such nations.”
His comments come amid fresh concerns over state-sponsored terror after the deadly Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
Pahalgam attack: LeT proxy 'The Resistance Front' blamed
Singh directly referenced the 22 April attack in Pahalgam, where 26 civilians, including a Nepali national, were gunned down. The Resistance Front (TRF), which claimed responsibility, is a proxy of the UN-proscribed group Lashkar-e-Taiba.
“On 22 April 2025, the terror group ‘The Resistance Front’ (TRF) carried out a dastardly and heinous attack on innocent tourists at Pahalgam in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir,” Singh told SCO counterparts.
“Victims were shot at after they were profiled based on religious identity.”
He pointed out that the tactics used in the Pahalgam attack matched earlier attacks carried out by LeT, highlighting a repeated and recognisable threat pattern.
Singh underscored India’s right to self-defence in the face of cross-border terrorism.
“India’s zero tolerance for terrorism is manifest today through its actions. This includes our right to defend ourselves against terrorism,” he said.
“We have shown that epicentres of terrorism are no longer safe and we will not hesitate to target them.”
He confirmed that India had taken pre-emptive action in the form of Operation Sindoor, launched on 7 May 2025, to dismantle cross-border terror infrastructure linked to the Pahalgam attackers.
Radicalisation and drone threats: Singh urges proactive steps
Addressing a wider threat landscape, Singh called for greater collaboration on curbing radicalisation and emerging technologies used in terror operations.
“We should also take proactive steps to prevent the spread of radicalisation among our youth,” he said, praising the SCO’s RATS mechanism.
“The joint statement of the Council of SCO Heads of State on ‘Countering Radicalisation leading to Terrorism, Separatism and Extremism’ issued during India’s Chairmanship symbolises our shared commitment.”
Singh warned that drones were increasingly being used for the cross-border smuggling of arms and narcotics.
“We should seek to counter the technology used by terrorists including drones for cross-border smuggling of weapons and drugs,” he said.
“In our interconnected world, traditional borders are no longer the sole barriers against threats. Instead, we face an intricate web of challenges that range from transnational terrorism and cyber-attacks to hybrid warfare.”
Singh concluded by reaffirming India's unwavering stance on counter-terrorism.
“These threats do not respect national boundaries, and they demand a unified response rooted in transparency, mutual trust, and collaboration. India reaffirms its resolve to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” he said.
His message was not only aimed at reinforcing India’s domestic and regional security goals but also at challenging the SCO to move beyond rhetoric and adopt firm, actionable consensus against member states enabling terrorism.
“Peace and terror can't co-exist”: Singh sends a clear message
During his address at the SCO meeting, Singh called for stronger collaboration to tackle rising threats in the region.
"I believe that the biggest challenges that we are facing in our region are related to peace, security and trust-deficit. The root cause of these problems is increasing radicalisation, extremism and terrorism," he said.
He stressed the urgency of decisive action.
"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. Dealing with these challenges requires decisive action and we must unite in our fight against these evils for our collective safety and security."
He went on to say, "I believe that the biggest challenges that we are facing in our region are related to peace, security and trust-deficit. And the root cause of these problems is increasing radicalization, extremism and terrorism."
Calling for a better multilateral order
Singh urged SCO member states to commit to a cooperative, inclusive international framework.
“India believes that reformed multilateralism can help build cooperation to prevent conflict between countries by creating mechanisms for dialogue and collaboration,” he said.
He added that no country, no matter how powerful, can manage global issues alone.
“In fact, the very idea of the global order, or indeed of multilateralism, is the assumption that nations have to work with each other for their mutual and collective benefit.”
He linked this view to India’s civilisational ethos.
“This is also reflective of our age-old Sanskrit saying ‘Sarve Jana Sukhino Bhavantu’, which implies peace and prosperity to all.”
Singh’s agenda: Security, trade and terror
Before leaving for Qingdao, Singh posted on X, “Today, 25th June, I shall be leaving for Qingdao, China, to take part in the Shanghai cooperation organisation (SCO) defence ministers’ meeting.”
“I will have the opportunity to interact with various Defence Ministers on a wide range of issues. Looking forward to present India’s vision for global peace and security and also, call for joint and consistent efforts to eliminate terrorism.”
According to the Ministry of Defence, Singh was expected to emphasise India’s, “Continued commitment to the principles and mandate of the SCO, outline India’s vision towards achieving greater international peace & security, call for joint & consistent efforts to eliminate terrorism & extremism in the region, and stress on the need for greater trade, economic cooperation and connectivity within SCO.”
A reset in India-China ties
Singh’s presence at the SCO is part of a slow but deliberate shift towards normalising diplomatic ties with China. The 2020 border clash at Galwan Valley had frozen high-level engagement. However, disengagement from key friction points—Depsang and Demchok—was finalised in October 2023.
Just days later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Kazan and agreed to revive the Special Representatives (SR) mechanism. In December, NSA Ajit Doval visited Beijing to take the process forward with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
India’s strategy remains cautious. While it is re-engaging diplomatically, it continues to press its core demands—chief among them, regional security and counter-terrorism cooperation.
Bilateral talks and wider security concerns
On the sidelines of the SCO meeting, Singh is expected to hold bilateral discussions with his counterparts from China and Russia. The broader agenda includes developments in West Asia, where regional tensions remain high.
India will likely use these conversations to highlight how multilateral frameworks must translate rhetoric into action—especially against state-backed terror outfits and cross-border threats.
Pakistan, China, and the SCO setting
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif was also present at the SCO summit. He was received by Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun. China is currently chairing the SCO under the theme: “Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move.”
India, meanwhile, continues to keep a close watch on China’s regional projects like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which it has refused to endorse due to sovereignty concerns.
Why the SCO is important for India
Founded in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, the SCO has expanded to include India, Pakistan (2017), and more recently Iran and Belarus. It is now a regional forum of ten full members, covering political, security, and economic interests.
India sees the SCO as a critical diplomatic space to:
At the same time, it provides a buffer—however limited—to navigate tensions with Beijing and Islamabad within a multilateral setting.
Singh’s presence in China, after years of strained relations, is a deliberate step—but it comes with clear expectations. India wants the SCO to move beyond rhetoric when it comes to terrorism. It is also looking to assert its own regional vision—of open, rules-based cooperation—without being pulled into a China-centric model of influence.
Singh made a forceful statement at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' meeting in Qingdao on Thursday, warning that states using terrorism for political ends must be held accountable.
“It is imperative that those who sponsor, nurture and utilise terrorism for their narrow and selfish ends must bear the consequences,” Singh said.
“Some countries use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of policy and provide shelter to terrorists. There should be no place for such double standards. SCO should not hesitate to criticise such nations.”
His comments come amid fresh concerns over state-sponsored terror after the deadly Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
Pahalgam attack: LeT proxy 'The Resistance Front' blamed
Singh directly referenced the 22 April attack in Pahalgam, where 26 civilians, including a Nepali national, were gunned down. The Resistance Front (TRF), which claimed responsibility, is a proxy of the UN-proscribed group Lashkar-e-Taiba.
“On 22 April 2025, the terror group ‘The Resistance Front’ (TRF) carried out a dastardly and heinous attack on innocent tourists at Pahalgam in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir,” Singh told SCO counterparts.
“Victims were shot at after they were profiled based on religious identity.”
He pointed out that the tactics used in the Pahalgam attack matched earlier attacks carried out by LeT, highlighting a repeated and recognisable threat pattern.
Singh underscored India’s right to self-defence in the face of cross-border terrorism.
“India’s zero tolerance for terrorism is manifest today through its actions. This includes our right to defend ourselves against terrorism,” he said.
“We have shown that epicentres of terrorism are no longer safe and we will not hesitate to target them.”
He confirmed that India had taken pre-emptive action in the form of Operation Sindoor, launched on 7 May 2025, to dismantle cross-border terror infrastructure linked to the Pahalgam attackers.
Radicalisation and drone threats: Singh urges proactive steps
Addressing a wider threat landscape, Singh called for greater collaboration on curbing radicalisation and emerging technologies used in terror operations.
“We should also take proactive steps to prevent the spread of radicalisation among our youth,” he said, praising the SCO’s RATS mechanism.
“The joint statement of the Council of SCO Heads of State on ‘Countering Radicalisation leading to Terrorism, Separatism and Extremism’ issued during India’s Chairmanship symbolises our shared commitment.”
Singh warned that drones were increasingly being used for the cross-border smuggling of arms and narcotics.
“We should seek to counter the technology used by terrorists including drones for cross-border smuggling of weapons and drugs,” he said.
“In our interconnected world, traditional borders are no longer the sole barriers against threats. Instead, we face an intricate web of challenges that range from transnational terrorism and cyber-attacks to hybrid warfare.”
Singh concluded by reaffirming India's unwavering stance on counter-terrorism.
“These threats do not respect national boundaries, and they demand a unified response rooted in transparency, mutual trust, and collaboration. India reaffirms its resolve to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” he said.
His message was not only aimed at reinforcing India’s domestic and regional security goals but also at challenging the SCO to move beyond rhetoric and adopt firm, actionable consensus against member states enabling terrorism.
“Peace and terror can't co-exist”: Singh sends a clear message
During his address at the SCO meeting, Singh called for stronger collaboration to tackle rising threats in the region.
"I believe that the biggest challenges that we are facing in our region are related to peace, security and trust-deficit. The root cause of these problems is increasing radicalisation, extremism and terrorism," he said.
He stressed the urgency of decisive action.
"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. Dealing with these challenges requires decisive action and we must unite in our fight against these evils for our collective safety and security."
He went on to say, "I believe that the biggest challenges that we are facing in our region are related to peace, security and trust-deficit. And the root cause of these problems is increasing radicalization, extremism and terrorism."
Calling for a better multilateral order
Singh urged SCO member states to commit to a cooperative, inclusive international framework.
“India believes that reformed multilateralism can help build cooperation to prevent conflict between countries by creating mechanisms for dialogue and collaboration,” he said.
He added that no country, no matter how powerful, can manage global issues alone.
“In fact, the very idea of the global order, or indeed of multilateralism, is the assumption that nations have to work with each other for their mutual and collective benefit.”
He linked this view to India’s civilisational ethos.
“This is also reflective of our age-old Sanskrit saying ‘Sarve Jana Sukhino Bhavantu’, which implies peace and prosperity to all.”
Singh’s agenda: Security, trade and terror
Before leaving for Qingdao, Singh posted on X, “Today, 25th June, I shall be leaving for Qingdao, China, to take part in the Shanghai cooperation organisation (SCO) defence ministers’ meeting.”
“I will have the opportunity to interact with various Defence Ministers on a wide range of issues. Looking forward to present India’s vision for global peace and security and also, call for joint and consistent efforts to eliminate terrorism.”
According to the Ministry of Defence, Singh was expected to emphasise India’s, “Continued commitment to the principles and mandate of the SCO, outline India’s vision towards achieving greater international peace & security, call for joint & consistent efforts to eliminate terrorism & extremism in the region, and stress on the need for greater trade, economic cooperation and connectivity within SCO.”
A reset in India-China ties
Singh’s presence at the SCO is part of a slow but deliberate shift towards normalising diplomatic ties with China. The 2020 border clash at Galwan Valley had frozen high-level engagement. However, disengagement from key friction points—Depsang and Demchok—was finalised in October 2023.
Just days later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Kazan and agreed to revive the Special Representatives (SR) mechanism. In December, NSA Ajit Doval visited Beijing to take the process forward with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
India’s strategy remains cautious. While it is re-engaging diplomatically, it continues to press its core demands—chief among them, regional security and counter-terrorism cooperation.
Bilateral talks and wider security concerns
On the sidelines of the SCO meeting, Singh is expected to hold bilateral discussions with his counterparts from China and Russia. The broader agenda includes developments in West Asia, where regional tensions remain high.
India will likely use these conversations to highlight how multilateral frameworks must translate rhetoric into action—especially against state-backed terror outfits and cross-border threats.
Pakistan, China, and the SCO setting
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif was also present at the SCO summit. He was received by Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun. China is currently chairing the SCO under the theme: “Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move.”
India, meanwhile, continues to keep a close watch on China’s regional projects like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which it has refused to endorse due to sovereignty concerns.
Why the SCO is important for India
Founded in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, the SCO has expanded to include India, Pakistan (2017), and more recently Iran and Belarus. It is now a regional forum of ten full members, covering political, security, and economic interests.
India sees the SCO as a critical diplomatic space to:
- Advance regional counter-terrorism cooperation
- Push for a more balanced, multipolar security framework
- Deepen engagement with Central Asian nations
- Support infrastructure goals like the International North-South Transport Corridor and Chabahar Port
At the same time, it provides a buffer—however limited—to navigate tensions with Beijing and Islamabad within a multilateral setting.
Singh’s presence in China, after years of strained relations, is a deliberate step—but it comes with clear expectations. India wants the SCO to move beyond rhetoric when it comes to terrorism. It is also looking to assert its own regional vision—of open, rules-based cooperation—without being pulled into a China-centric model of influence.
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