Rajnath Singh Condemns Pakistan’s Terror Stance at SCO Meet in China, Defends ‘Op Sindoor’ as Counter-Terror Measure
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today strongly criticized Pakistan for allegedly perpetrating cross-border terrorism at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Qingdao, China. Singh urged other member nations to collectively speak out against acts of terror and unequivocally defended “Operation Sindoor,” launched in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attacks, as India’s rightful response to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. This marks a significant diplomatic exchange, particularly as it is the first visit by a senior minister from the Narendra Modi cabinet to China since the Galwan Valley conflict in 2020.
Taking a direct dig at Pakistan, Rajnath Singh stated that “some countries use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of policy and provide shelter to terrorists.” He asserted there should be “no place for such double standards” and called on the SCO to “not hesitate to criticise such nations.” He detailed Operation Sindoor as a series of pre-emptive strikes, initiated on May 7, aimed at “deterring further cross-border terrorist attacks” and “dismantling cross-border terrorist infrastructure” in Pakistan.
The Defence Minister also underscored India’s “zero tolerance for terrorism,” emphasizing, “We have shown that epicentres of terrorism are no longer safe, and we will not hesitate to target them.” He advocated for proactive measures to prevent the spread of radicalization among youth, acknowledging the significant role of the SCO’s RATS mechanism in this regard. Singh highlighted the joint statement of the Council of SCO Heads of State on ‘Countering Radicalization leading to Terrorism, Separatism and Extremism’ issued during India’s Chairmanship as a symbol of shared commitment among member nations.
Singh is in Qingdao for the SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting until June 27. Before the meeting commenced on Thursday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh joined Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun and defence ministers from other member countries—including Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan—for a group photo.
Beyond the multilateral discussions, Singh is also expected to hold a bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Dong Jun, on the sidelines of the SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting, with a particular focus on restarting the China-India military hotline. A press release from the Ministry of Defence indicated that India would emphasize its commitment to SCO principles, outline its vision for greater international peace and security, call for joint efforts against terrorism, and stress the need for enhanced trade, economic cooperation, and connectivity within the SCO region.
