In a move that speaks volumes about India’s uncompromising stance on terrorism, the Indian delegation, led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, refused to sign the joint declaration at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) defence ministers’ meet held in China.
India’s rejection of the declaration was no diplomatic accident—it was a calculated and principled stand against the selective amnesia on terrorism by certain member states. When the world needs unity against extremism, ignoring India’s genuine concerns amounts to legitimising terror.
No to Double Standards
India made it clear: you cannot talk peace while supporting proxies of terror. The proposed joint declaration failed to even mention the recent April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, but paradoxically included references to incidents in Pakistan.
New Delhi refused to sign a document that plays pick-and-choose with terrorism. As per officials, this selective framing of threats is not only biased, but dangerous for regional security.
Rajnath Singh’s Direct Message
Without naming Pakistan, Rajnath Singh minced no words. “Peace and prosperity cannot co-exist with terrorism and the proliferation of WMDs in the hands of non-state actors,” he said during the two-day summit. He further underlined how radicalisation, extremism, and cross-border terrorism have created a deep trust deficit in the region.
Singh stressed that terrorism is not a ‘local’ issue, but a global cancer. He called upon all 11 SCO member countries to unite and hold the organisers, financiers, and sponsors of terrorism accountable.
India: Standing Alone, Yet Standing Tall
This isn’t the first time India has walked alone to uphold its values, but it may be one of the most significant. The failure of the SCO to adopt a joint declaration due to lack of consensus on terrorism language proves just how uncomfortable some nations are when the mirror is held to their actions.
India’s message is loud and clear:
> “We will not be part of any forum that sidelines our national security concerns or shields state-sponsored terrorism.”
A Defining Moment
In times when global forums are becoming mere tools of narrative control, India’s bold decision to reject a watered-down, hollow declaration is a defining assertion of sovereignty and moral leadership.
Let the world take note—India will engage, but not at the cost of truth. When it comes to terrorism, there is no grey zone. And no declaration is better than a dishonest one.