26 June, 2025:
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday (June 26, 2025) refused to sign a joint statement at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting held in Qingdao, China, because it did not mention the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 innocent lives and did not reflect India's strong position on terror.
As per reports, the defence minister refused to dot India's name on the document due to its failure to address India's concern regarding cross-border terrorism.
Instead, the statement included a reference to Balochistan, subtly suggesting Indian involvement in unrest there. The omission of the Pahalgam attack is believed to have been influenced by Pakistan, with support from its close ally China, which currently holds the SCO Chair.
At the SCO Summit, India raised its concerns regarding cross-border terrorism, citing the Pahalgam attack and conflict with Pakistan.
“India is not satisfied with the language of the joint document, there was no mention of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, there was mention of the incidents that happened in Pakistan, so India refused to sign the joint declaration, and there is no joint communique either,” news agency ANI said quoting sources.
Singh firmly stood ground on India’s stand on terrorism and Pahalgam and with the result no joint statement was issued after the meet, sources quoting by various media organizations said.
Earlier speaking at the SCO meet, Singh condemned terrorism emphasizing the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers, and sponsors of terrorist acts accountable and bring them to justice.
Member states, including Russia, Pakistan, and China, are attending the summit in China's Qingdao to discuss issues related to regional and international security. Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also attended the summit.
