India\’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh spoke out against countries that support or encourage terrorism at the SCO Defence Ministers\’ meeting in Qingdao, China. He was aiming his speech at Pakistan. His message was mostly about how dangerous it is for terrorists to cross borders, for non-state actors to have nuclear weapons, and for people to treat fighting extremism differently.
Talk about the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor
Singh talked about the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22 and linked it to Lashkar-e-Taiba and groups that are part of it, such as “The Resistance Front.” To show that India had the right to fight back, he brought up Operation Sindoor, which India started to get rid of terror dangers where they started. He said that India would always stand for fairness and self-defense.
Singh says, “There is no place for double standards.”
Singh spoke out against Pakistan\’s long-standing ties to terrorism by saying, “Some countries use cross-border terrorism as a tool of policy.” The SCO shouldn\’t be afraid to criticize these kinds of countries. His speech was meant to bring SCO members together against people who use regional platforms for political gain while threatening peace in the area.
Khawaja Asif Present, But No Bilateral Talks
Pakistan\’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif went to the summit, which made news because of rumors that he might have talked with Indian officials. However, Pakistani sources say that there were no talks between the two countries. Asif\’s involvement was still limited to the whole group.
Will Pakistan Listen?
It is unlikely. Despite repeated global condemnation and increasing evidence, Pakistan still has the support and shelter for terrorist organizations working on the Indian border. For decades, Islamabad has used terrorism as a tool for asymmetrical war and ignored international pressure and regional peace appeals. Singh\’s comment, although firm, can again fall on deaf ears.
SCO Nations Get a Broader Message
Singh said again that the SCO needs to take strong action against terrorism, brainwashing, and the threat of arms getting into the hands of people who are not states. His words, “terrorism in all its forms is criminal and unjustifiable,” made him want the group to hold responsible the “perpetrators, organizers, financiers, and sponsors” of terrorism.
Implications for geopolitics and ties with China
When it comes to defense, this meeting was the first high-level Indian visit to China since the 2020 LAC standoff. Singh\’s participation shows that he has two goals in mind: to make diplomatic progress with China and to set clear boundaries for Pakistan. The SCO meeting gives India a chance to improve the fight against terrorism on a global level and encourage cooperation in the region\’s security.
