In a bold diplomatic move, India declined to sign the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ joint statement at the 2025 summit in Qingdao, China, held on June 26. The reason? A disagreement over the omission of direct references to terrorism, particularly the brutal Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which left 26 Hindu pilgrims dead earlier this year.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, representing India at the summit, firmly objected to the lack of strong language on terrorism. India had proposed including a mention of the April 22 attack, believed to have been orchestrated by Pakistan-based militants. However, “one particular country”—widely believed to be Pakistan, with possible support from China—opposed the inclusion.
As a result, the defence ministers were unable to reach consensus, and no joint statement was adopted—a rare event in the SCO’s history.
India expressed its deep concern over the selective approach to terrorism, calling for zero tolerance and an end to double standards in global forums. The move highlights India’s increasing willingness to stand its ground on the international stage, especially when national security is at stake.
The fallout underscores growing divisions within the SCO, with India pushing for accountability on terrorism, even at the cost of breaking consensus.
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