We must unite in our fight against terrorism for our collective safety and security, said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the SCO meet in China on Thursday (June 26, 2025).
“Peace and prosperity cannot co-exist with terrorism,” he said.
In his first such visit since Operation Sindoor, Mr. Rajnath Singh has travelled to China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meet in Qingdao from June 25 to 27. Pakistan Defence Minister Khwaja Asif too will attend the meeting.
It’s imperative that those who sponsor, nurture and utilize terrorism for their narrow and selfish ends must bear the consequences. Some countries use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of policy and provide shelter to terrorists, the Defence Minister said.
There should be no place for double standards in combating terrorism, Mr. Singh added. He also called on the SCO to criticise nations indulging in double standards in combating terrorism.
The Pattern of the Pahalgam terror attack matched with Lashkar-e-Taiba’s previous terror attacks in India, Mr. Singh said. India is following a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism, he added. “There is a need to hold perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of terrorism accountable. Any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivation. India has been consistent and steadfast in its policy in support of peace, security and stability in Afghanistan,” the Defence Minister said.
Terrorists attacked a group of tourists in the Baisaran meadows of Pahalgam, in Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, leaving dozens dead and several more injured.
The visit comes as India and China take steps to restore ties, including the resumption of trade and travel links as well as dialogue mechanisms. Mr. Singh is expected to meet other Defence Ministers from the SCO states that also include Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus, while sources said no meeting with the Pakistani Defence Minister is on the cards.
