In a significant diplomatic move, India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted the country's stance on terrorism during the SCO meeting, following a militant attack in Kashmir that claimed 26 lives.
India Stands Firm: Refuses Join Statement at SCO Summit Over Terrorism Concerns
India Stands Firm: Refuses Join Statement at SCO Summit Over Terrorism Concerns
India's foreign ministry cites concerns regarding terrorism as the reason for its refusal to sign a joint statement at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in China.
India's refusal to endorse the joint declaration at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit underscores its ongoing concerns about terrorism, primarily related to a deadly incident in Kashmir. The Indian foreign ministry, represented by spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, stated that India's concerns regarding terrorism were not adequately reflected in the joint statement, particularly due to a perceived bias that favored Pakistan.
Reports indicate that India's refusal was linked to the omission of the recent Pahalgam attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir. India has attributed the assault to a militant group hosted by Pakistan, a claim that Pakistan vehemently denies. The joint statement did bring up militant activities in Balochistan, prompting India to accuse the statement of showing pro-Pakistan sentiment.
During the summit, Defence Minister Singh emphasized the need for the SCO to hold nations accountable for cross-border terrorism, implicitly addressing Pakistan without naming it directly. Singh's statement resonated with India's long-standing position, asserting that some nations utilize cross-border terrorism as a tool for their geopolitical goals.
The historical context of India-Pakistan relations exacerbates the tension; the two countries have fought three wars over the disputed region of Kashmir. The recent spike in hostility was sparked by the Pahalgam attack that nearly escalated to war, leading to airstrikes by India and missile fires from Pakistan before a US-brokered ceasefire came into effect in May.
As the nation continues to navigate this complex geopolitical landscape, India's position at international forums such as the SCO remains pivotal in advocating for its national security concerns and combating terrorism at a regional level.
Reports indicate that India's refusal was linked to the omission of the recent Pahalgam attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir. India has attributed the assault to a militant group hosted by Pakistan, a claim that Pakistan vehemently denies. The joint statement did bring up militant activities in Balochistan, prompting India to accuse the statement of showing pro-Pakistan sentiment.
During the summit, Defence Minister Singh emphasized the need for the SCO to hold nations accountable for cross-border terrorism, implicitly addressing Pakistan without naming it directly. Singh's statement resonated with India's long-standing position, asserting that some nations utilize cross-border terrorism as a tool for their geopolitical goals.
The historical context of India-Pakistan relations exacerbates the tension; the two countries have fought three wars over the disputed region of Kashmir. The recent spike in hostility was sparked by the Pahalgam attack that nearly escalated to war, leading to airstrikes by India and missile fires from Pakistan before a US-brokered ceasefire came into effect in May.
As the nation continues to navigate this complex geopolitical landscape, India's position at international forums such as the SCO remains pivotal in advocating for its national security concerns and combating terrorism at a regional level.
