India Refuses to Sign SCO Defence Declaration, Citing Terrorism Double Standards
- World News
- June 26, 2025
- No Comment
Report by “Safarti Tarjuman” International News Desk
QINGDAO, China – India declined to endorse the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) defence ministers’ joint declaration at the annual summit in Qingdao, objecting to the document’s failure to mention the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which left 26 civilians dead.
The move fractured unity among the ten-member security bloc, as all other nations — including Russia, China, Pakistan, and Iran — signed the declaration emphasizing regional cooperation and security.
The proposed joint statement, titled “Collective Security for Peaceful Eurasia”, condemned recent attacks in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, but excluded the Pahalgam incident, which Indian authorities attribute to The Resistance Front, a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
Calling this omission “unacceptable,” Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, “Terrorism cannot be condemned selectively. Every victim, regardless of geography, deserves justice.”
India strongly criticized what it termed “double standards” by certain SCO members in addressing terrorism. Singh emphasized that New Delhi had launched Operation Sindoor in response to the Pahalgam massacre and had expected solidarity from SCO partners.
“We urge SCO to strengthen its anti-terror mechanisms, especially the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), to tackle threats without bias,” Singh added.
According to diplomatic sources, China and Pakistan resisted India’s request to name the Pahalgam attack in the text, calling for general language on terrorism. The impasse led to India withholding its signature, making it the only member state to do so.
Observers noted that the inclusion of Balochistan-related incidents, and exclusion of attacks in Indian territory, highlighted regional divisions within the SCO’s anti-terror narrative.
Despite India’s dissent, the remaining SCO members — including Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and new entrant Belarus — supported the declaration, which covers:
- Military and intelligence cooperation
- Counterterrorism efforts via SCO-RATS
- Joint training and logistics frameworks
- Cybersecurity and disinformation threats
However, India’s refusal to sign signals growing geopolitical fault lines that may hamper future coordination within the bloc.
Summary Table
| Key Issue | Details |
|---|---|
| Summit | SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting, Qingdao, June 2025 |
| India’s Objection | Omission of April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack |
| India’s Position | Zero tolerance, no double standards on terrorism |
| Declaration Signatories | All members except India |
| Main Areas Covered | Defence ties, RATS, anti-terror strategy, cybersecurity |
India’s refusal to sign the SCO Defence Declaration in Qingdao reveals growing rifts within the organization over how terrorism is defined and addressed. As New Delhi pushes for a tougher, more balanced approach, the future of consensus within the SCO’s security agenda may hinge on whether all member states can agree to condemn terrorism without political filters.
Thank you for reading! For comprehensive news coverage and exclusive stories, visit SafartiTarjuman.com
