India’s Zero-Tolerance Stand on Terrorism Echoes at SCO Defence Meet
India Condemns Terrorism at SCO Defence Ministers' Meeting in Qingdao
At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting held in Qingdao, China, on June 25–26, 2025, India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh issued a firm and unequivocal condemnation of terrorism. Addressing defence counterparts from across the SCO region—including China, Russia, and Central Asian nations—Singh called for collective accountability and action against terrorism in all its forms.
He stressed the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers, and state sponsors of terrorism accountable, reinforcing India’s longstanding position on cross-border terrorism and extremism.
Pahalgam Terror Attack & Lashkar-e-Taiba’s Proxy Network
Singh referenced the heinous Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, where 26 civilians, including a Nepali national, were killed in Jammu and Kashmir. The attack was orchestrated by The Resistance Front (TRF), which is a known proxy of the UN-designated terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
Victims were profiled based on their religious identity before being executed—an act Singh described as "dastardly and reprehensible." He highlighted that the modus operandi was consistent with earlier LeT attacks in India.
Operation Sindoor: India’s Counter-Terror Response
In response to the Pahalgam attack and increasing threats along the border, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025. The operation successfully targeted cross-border terrorist infrastructure, marking India’s active stance on preempting and deterring future threats.
Singh reiterated that India has both the right and the resolve to defend itself against terrorism and that terror hubs will no longer be immune to consequences.
Transnational Threats Need Unified Global Action
Rajnath Singh emphasized that terrorism transcends borders and demands a unified international response. He called for collective SCO condemnation without political hesitations or double standards.
He particularly criticised countries that use terrorism as an instrument of policy, stating that such state-backed terrorism and safe havens for terrorists must end.
Singh declared:
“There should be no place for double standards. SCO should not hesitate to criticise such nations.”
Modern Threats: Cyber, Drones, and Hybrid Warfare
The Defence Minister raised concerns over the use of advanced technologies by terrorists, including drones for arms and narcotics smuggling. He noted that in today’s interconnected world, traditional borders offer limited security against cyberattacks, transnational terror networks, and hybrid warfare strategies.
Radicalisation and Role of SCO’s RATS Mechanism
A key part of Singh’s address focused on preventing youth radicalisation. He praised the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) for its role in countering extremist ideologies and cited India’s 2023 chairmanship initiative—the joint statement on Countering Radicalization leading to Terrorism, Separatism, and Extremism—as a model of cooperation.
Warning Against Proliferation of WMDs
Singh stressed the dangers posed by Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) falling into the hands of non-state actors and terror outfits, stating that peace and prosperity are incompatible with terrorism and such weaponisation.
Need for Strategic Unity in the Region
According to Singh, the greatest challenges facing the region are rooted in radicalisation, extremism, and terrorism, leading to widespread security deficits and erosion of trust.
He concluded that regional and global peace requires united, decisive, and transparent action, adding:
“India’s actions reflect its zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism.”
Belarus Joins SCO: A Growing Security Bloc
At the summit, Singh welcomed Belarus as a new full member of the SCO. The inclusion expands the bloc’s collective voice on global security matters.
The SCO, founded in 2001, continues to evolve into a crucial platform for regional dialogue and security cooperation. India, which became a full member in 2017, chaired the organisation in 2023. China holds the rotating chair for 2025 under the theme: “Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move.”
Conclusion
India’s message at Qingdao was loud and clear: No compromise with terrorism. No shelter for its sponsors. And no future for its ideologies.
As global geopolitics intensifies, India’s zero-tolerance doctrine and proactive defence operations like Operation Sindoor signal a strategic recalibration aimed at securing not just its own borders—but also leading multilateral security discourse through platforms like SCO.
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