At the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Qingdao, India, through its Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, unequivocally projected a steadfast resolve against the pervasive threat of terrorism, sending a powerful message to the global community and, specifically, to nations that harbour and utilise such destructive forces.
India’s refusal to endorse a Joint Declaration that conspicuously omitted the dastardly Pahalgam attack underscored its unwavering commitment to holding perpetrators of terror accountable and rejecting any attempts to whitewash or legitimise cross-border terrorism.
This decisive stance, despite the political manoeuvring of an “all-weather ally” to shield Pakistan, showcased India’s moral clarity and its insistence that peace and prosperity cannot coexist with the breeding grounds of radicalisation, extremism, and the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) in the hands of non-state actors.
The assertion of India’s right to defend itself through Operation Sindoor, stands as a testament to its proactive and uncompromising approach to national security, demanding that the international community, including the SCO, shed double standards and unequivocally condemn terror sponsors.
Rajnath Singh indicated that some countries (Pakistan) use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of policy and provide shelter to terrorists. There should be no place for such double standards. SCO should not hesitate to criticise such nations.
India’s refusal to endorse a Joint Declaration at the SCO Summit, that conspicuously omitted the dastardly Pahalgam attack, underscored its unwavering commitment to holding perpetrators of terror accountable and rejecting any attempts to whitewash or legitimise cross-border terrorism
He asserted that during Operation Sindoor, India exercised its right to defend against terrorism and pre-empt as well as deter further cross border attacks. He reiterated the need to hold the perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of reprehensible acts of terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, accountable and bring them to justice. He termed any and every act of terrorism as criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivation, committed whenever, wherever and by whom-so-ever.
A brief history of SCO
The member state countries of SCO contribute around 30 percent of global GDP and about 40 percent of the world population. SCO is the follow up and successor to Shanghai Five, created in 1996 comprising of countries like China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan, catering initially to the Eurasian politics.
The primary objectives of SCO include strengthening mutual trust and good-neighbourly relations among member states, promoting effective cooperation in politics, trade, economy, research, technology, and culture, as well as in education, energy, transport, tourism, and environmental protection.
A significant focus is also on safeguarding regional peace, security, and stability, particularly by combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism. India was initially an observer state till 2005 and acquired full membership status in 2017. In organisational aspects, the highest decision-making body is the Council of Heads of State (CHS), which meets annually. Other bodies include the Council of Heads of Government, the SCO Secretariat in Beijing, and the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
SCO plays a significant role in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It is often seen as a key institution in the Chinese and Russian strategic push toward a multipolar world, serving as an alternative to Western-dominated international forums. However, SCO did not play a constructive role in de-escalation of recent India-China border crisis, therein raising incisive questions of efficacy in its Shanghai spirit to resolve disputes multilaterally.
Rajnath Singh indicated that some countries (Pakistan) use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of policy and provide shelter to terrorists. There should be no place for such double standards. SCO should not hesitate to criticise such nations
India-China impasse, the way forward
The way forward in easing India-China tension is to address the border dispute bilaterally, or facilitated through SCO. Defence Minister held a bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart Admiral Dong Jun on the sidelines of the SCO Summit. He highlighted the necessity of solving the complex border issues through a structured roadmap of permanent engagement and de-escalation.
He stressed on border management and to have a permanent solution of border demarcation by rejuvenating the established mechanism on the issue. He also called for bridging the trust deficit created after 2020 Border standoff, by acting on ground. Continuous consultations at various levels is necessary to achieve progress on issues related to disengagement, de-escalation, border management and eventual de-limitation through existing mechanisms.
India-Russia relations – a time-tested relationship
Defence Minister also held a bilateral meeting with the Russian Defence Minister, Andrey Belousov on the margins of the SCO. In the backdrop of Operation Sindoor, it has become necessary to augment defence production, especially in critical items such as air defence, air-to-air missiles, modern capabilities, and upgrades of air platforms.
The way forward in easing India-China tension is to address the border dispute bilaterally, or facilitated through SCO. Defence Minister held a bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart Admiral Dong Jun on the sidelines of the SCO Summit. He highlighted the necessity of solving the complex border issues through a structured roadmap of permanent engagement and de-escalation
The Russian Defence Minister highlighted the long-standing Indo-Russian relations which have stood the test of time and expressed solidarity with India on the horrendous and cowardly terrorist act in Pahalgam. Supply of S-400 systems, Su-30 MKI upgrades, and procurement of critical military hardware in expeditious timeframes were some of the key takeaways of the meeting.
India Forges Deeper Defence Ties with SCO member states
Rajnath Singh also held bilateral meetings with the Defence Minister of Belarus, Lieutenant General Victor Khrenin; Defence Minister of Tajikistan, Lieutenant General Sobrizoda Emomali Abdurakhim; and Defence Minister of Kazakhstan, Lieutenant General Dauren Kosanov on the sidelines of SCO meeting.
In his interaction with the Ministers, the defence minister highlighted the importance of continued engagement in defence cooperation and exploring new opportunities for collaboration in areas of technical collaboration. He highlighted the rapid advances made by India in the field of defence production and achieving self-reliance in meeting its defence requirements in several key areas. Rajnath Singh also briefed his counterparts on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor launched by India aimed at dismantling the terrorist networks in Pakistan.
Overall, beyond India’s stern message to terror states at the SCO Summit, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s strategic engagements with China and Russia underscored India’s proactive role in shaping regional stability.
The Russian Defence Minister highlighted the long-standing Indo-Russian relations which have stood the test of time and expressed solidarity with India on the horrendous and cowardly terrorist act in Pahalgam. Supply of S-400 systems, Su-30 MKI upgrades, and procurement of critical military hardware in expeditious timeframes were some of the key takeaways of the meeting
His focus on de-escalation, border management, and bridging trust deficits with China, alongside reinforcing the time-tested defence partnership with Russia, showcased India’s commitment to pragmatic solutions.
These diplomatic efforts, complemented by India’s growing self-reliance in defence production, highlight a nation not only staunchly defending its sovereignty but also actively forging a more secure Eurasian future.
–The writer is Assistant Professor, ICFAI School of Liberal Arts, ICFAI University, Jaipur. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
