New Delhi| June, 26: In a strong and unequivocal message at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today reiterated the country’s firm stance against terrorism and its sponsors, stating that peace and prosperity cannot coexist with terrorism and the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) in the hands of non-state actors and terror groups.
Rajnath Singh, while addressing the SCO meet at Qingdao, China, emphasised the urgent need for decisive and united action against terrorism, the RMO said in a post on social media platform X. Targeting countries that use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of state policy, Rajnath Singh said, “It is imperative that those who sponsor, nurture and utilise terrorism for their narrow and selfish ends must bear the consequences,” he said. “There should be no place for such double standards. The SCO should not hesitate to criticise such nations.” Singh underscored India’s zero-tolerance approach to terrorism, reaffirmed through its proactive counter-terrorism actions.
Referring to the recent terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, Singh described it as a “dastardly and heinous” act carried out by The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the UN-designated terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). “The Resistance Front’ (TRF) carried out a dastardly and heinous attack on innocent tourists at Pahalgam in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. 26 innocent civilians, including a Nepali national, were killed. Victims were shot at after they were profiled based on religious identity,” the Defence Minister said.
In response to the attack, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, to dismantle cross-border terrorist infrastructure and pre-empt further threats. “We have shown that the epicentres of terrorism are no longer safe, and we will not hesitate to target them,” Singh asserted. Highlighting the importance of a comprehensive strategy, the Defence Minister stressed the need to prevent radicalisation, particularly among youth. He praised the efforts of the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), noting that it has played a significant role in countering extremism and radicalisation. The joint statement issued by SCO Heads of State during India’s chairmanship on countering terrorism and extremism stands as a testament to the shared commitment, he added. “Terrorism does not respect national boundaries. Our response must be rooted in transparency, mutual trust, and collaboration,” Singh added, calling for robust cooperation to address emerging threats such as cyber-attacks, hybrid warfare, and the use of drones for cross-border smuggling of weapons and narcotics.
India also reiterated its commitment to enhancing connectivity with Central Asia, stressing that stronger regional ties can foster economic growth and mutual trust. However, Singh emphasised that such efforts must be guided by the SCO charter’s core principles, particularly the respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states. “We must hold the perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of terrorism accountable. Any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivation, whenever, wherever, and by whomsoever committed,” Singh concluded, urging SCO members to condemn terrorism unequivocally.
