India has intensified its diplomatic pushback against cross-border terrorism in the wake of the brutal Pahalgam attack that claimed the lives of 26 civilians. In pursuing its aggressive posture, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh refused to sign the joint statement of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao, China, protesting the exclusion of the Pahalgam episode and the mention of Balochistan — a step interpreted as endorsing Pakistan’s propaganda.
Singh’s move, announced at a gathering featuring China, Pakistan, and Russia, constitutes a strategic turn in India’s foreign policy: zero tolerance for double-speak on terrorism, particularly when Indian victims are in question.
India Pushes Back on Balochistan Mention, Calls Out “Double Standards”
New Delhi sharply resisted the mention of Balochistan in the joint statement — a perpetual favourite of Pakistani diplomacy. India argues that Pakistan makes unfounded claims to divert attention from its record of backing terror organisations.
“There should be no place for such double standards. SCO should not be afraid to condemn such countries,” Singh stated, without directly mentioning Pakistan.
He emphasised that peace and prosperity in the region are not possible in the absence of a strong stand against terrorism and the perpetrators who fund and shelter terrorist groups.
Rajnath Singh Emboldens India’s Right to Self-Defence
In connection with the terror attack recently carried out in Pahalgam, Singh stated that the terrorists identified victims through religious profiling. He noted that the Resistance Front, a Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy, had taken responsibility for the attack and that India had exercised its right to retaliate.
“We have demonstrated that epicentres of terrorism are no longer secure and we will not shy away from striking at them,” Singh threatened, referring to India’s assertive military stance.
Part of Broader Strategy Post-Operation Sindoor
The Defence Minister’s reluctance to sign the SCO statement is in line with New Delhi’s post-Operation Sindoor thesis, in which eight diplomatic groups were sent by New Delhi to key capitals to rally global support for its doctrine on anti-terrorism.
Though SCO has 10 member states, including China, Russia, Iran, and Pakistan, Singh’s message reflects India’s insistence against compromising on terror for regional optics.
New Delhi is going to press international platforms again to stand up more firmly against state-sponsored terrorism, particularly after the Pahalgam attack laid bare fresh threats by Pakistan-based elements.