What happened?
On 26 June 2025, during the SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Qingdao, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh refused to endorse a joint statement that omitted mention of the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack but referenced Balochistan militancy. The attack, claimed by The Resistance Front, a Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy, killed 26 civilians. India had pushed for stronger language against terrorism, which was opposed by some members.
Why it matters to India
India’s refusal signals a diplomatic pushback against attempts to downplay cross-border terrorism. By calling out selective framing of terror issues and referencing Operation Sindoor, launched on 7 May to dismantle terrorist infrastructure, India reinforces its zero-tolerance policy. It also reflects India’s demand for consistent, unified condemnation of terrorism within SCO and broader multilateral groupings.