Politics

Rajnath Singh calls out cross-border terrorism at SCO Meet, urges united stand against extremism

India highlights terror threat and calls for collective action at SCO Defence Ministers' meeting

June 26, 2025

Rajnath Singh at SCO Meet: Terrorism and peace cannot coexist

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh underscored peace, security, and a lack of trust as key challenges facing the region during his address at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Qingdao, China. Without directly naming Pakistan, Singh strongly condemned the use of cross-border terrorism and urged member states to adopt a consistent and principled stance against such threats.

“Some countries use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of policy and provide shelter to terrorists,” Singh stated. “There should be no place for such double standards. SCO should not hesitate to criticise such nations.”

Reference to April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir

Singh’s remarks came in the wake of a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, which killed 26 civilians. Among the victims were a Nepali national and a local pony handler. The attack was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the UN-designated terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Singh noted that the victims were specifically targeted based on their religious identity.

“The Resistance Front carried out a heinous attack on innocent tourists,” Singh said. “They were profiled and shot solely due to their religious affiliation.”

SCO Meet focuses on regional security and cooperation

The SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting, held from June 25–26 in Qingdao, includes participation from ten full member states: India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Belarus. Under China’s 2025 chairmanship, the event is themed “Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move.”

Singh emphasized that regional cooperation and dialogue are vital. “The biggest challenges in our region are related to peace, security, and trust deficit,” he said. “India believes that reformed multilateralism can promote dialogue and prevent conflict. No country, however powerful, can address these issues alone.”

Bilateral talks scheduled with China and Russia

On the sidelines of the summit, Singh is set to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from China and Russia. The discussions will cover regional security issues, border management, and counter-terrorism strategies aimed at reinforcing defence collaboration.

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