Rajnath Singh refuses to sign SCO Joint Statement for skipping Pahalgam, mentioning Balochistan.
Indian Defence Minister Creates Scene At SCO Summit in China. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh brought more embarrassment to his country as he refused to sign a joint statement at Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) huddle because it did not mention the 22 April Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists.
While skipping any mention of Pahalgam, the document mentioned Pakistan’s province of Balochistan, tacitly accusing India of creating unrest here, NDTV reported.
Rajnath Singh refused to sign the document as it ‘would have diluted India’s stand’, said the NDTV report. “India is not satisfied with the language of the joint document, there was no mention of the attack in Pahalgam, there was mention of the incidents that happened in Pakistan, so India refused to sign the joint declaration, and there is no joint communique either,” Indian news agency ANI reported quoting sources.
Member states, including Russia, Pakistan and China, attended the summit in China’s Qingdao to discuss issues related to regional and international security. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also attended the summit.
Earlier speaking at the SCO meet, Singh condemned terrorism, emphasising the need to hold perpetrators, organisers, financiers, and sponsors of terrorist acts accountable and bring them to justice.
“We reiterate the need to hold the perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice. Any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivation, whenever, wherever and by whomever committed. SCO members must condemn this evil unequivocally,” said Rajnath Singh.
Singh reaffirmed India’s resolve to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, adding terrorism is a transnational threat that demands a unified response from nations.
“These threats do not respect national boundaries, and they demand a unified response rooted in transparency, mutual trust, and collaboration.”
Singh emphasised the need for proactive steps to prevent the spread of radicalisation among youth. The minister highlighted the significant role played by the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) mechanism in this regard. “We should also take proactive steps to prevent the spread of radicalisation among our youth. The RATS mechanism of SCO has played a significant role in this regard. 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,” added Singh.
