‘Some countries use cross-border terrorism as instrument of policy… shelter terrorists’: Rajnath Singh at SCO meet

“India’s zero tolerance for terrorism manifests today through its actions. This includes our right to defend ourselves against terrorism. We have shown that epicentres of terrorism are no longer safe and we will not hesitate to target them,” the Defence Minister asserted.

He added: “We should also take proactive steps to prevent the spread of radicalization among our youth. The RATS mechanism of SCO has played a significant role in this regard. The joint statement of the Council of SCO Heads of State on ‘Countering Radicalization leading to Terrorism, Separatism and Extremism’ issued during India’s Chairmanship symbolises our shared commitment.”

The Defence Minister also said that peace and prosperity cannot coexist with terrorism as well as proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in the hands of terror groups. “Dealing with these challenges require decisive action and we must unite in our fight against these evils for our collective safety and security,” he said.

Singh, while addressing the SCO Summit, spoke about the Pahalgam terror attack and how India launched its counter-terrorism military exercise Operation Sindoor.

“The pattern of Pahalgam terror attack matches with LeT’s previous terror attacks in India. In exercising its right to defend against terrorism and pre-empt as well as deter further cross border terrorist attacks, India on 7th May 2025 successfully launched Operation Sindoor to dismantle cross border terrorist infrastructure,” Singh said.

Urging SCO to hold terror-funding stated accountable, Rajnath Singh said, “Any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivation whenever, wherever and by whom-so-ever committed. SCO members must condemn this evil unequivocally.”

“We reiterate the need to hold the perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of reprehensible acts of terrorism, including cross border terrorism accountable and bring them to justice,” he asserted.

Rajnath Singh arrived in Qingdao on Wednesday to attend the SCO Summit, making it the first visit to China by any senior Indian official after the ties came under severe strain following the military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh that began in May 2020.

India became a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in 2017 and assumed the rotating chairmanship in 2023. SCO was established in 2001, and apart from India, the membership includes Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran and Belarus.