SCO: China Soft on Pakistani Terrorism ! RM Rajnath Singh Refuses to Sign Joint Document, What it Means ?

India is not backing down in its diplomatic posturing as the Defence Minister of India, Rajnath Singh, declined to sign the joint communique at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers meeting, delivering a sharp message regarding China's soft policy towards Pakistani terrorism. It is an unusual move that has further fuelled geopolitical debate across Asia over whether the regional bloc is united.

According to what ANI shared on X, the decision taken by Rajnath Singh is based on the fact that China is not prepared to condemn explicit state-sponsored terrorism, especially by Pakistan, with which India has always had problems. The decision not to sign is a tactical point that India will not readily accept the blanket statements that do not give India its main security interests.

What Led to the Disagreement at SCO?

The SCO meeting, held to facilitate partnership in regional security, saw the presence of a large number of countries like Russia, China, Pakistan, and India, apart from the member countries. However, India made good objections when the final draft of the joint declaration was released.

Indian officials were critical of the draft, saying that it failed to deal sufficiently with the problem of cross-border terrorism, particularly attacks based on Pakistani territory. The supposed unwillingness of China to have strong language on such an issue was perceived as strategic diplomacy.

India’s Tough Stance Sends a Clear Message

India has expressed it clearly by rejecting the signing of the agreement that terrorism is non-negotiable, even in multilateral organisations such as the SCO. The action has not only elicited internal applause but has also attracted international attention because it indicates the rising tension between India and China and sheds light on the dynamic cultural balance between China and Pakistan.

What Does This Mean for the Future of SCO?

The decision of India not to sign the statement can affect the future round of SCO negotiations and undermine its overall position on regional security. It also raises a question of how efficient the bloc can be when some of the key members are not ready to pursue strenuous matters face-to-face.