New Delhi, India — Tensions erupted at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on Thursday as India declined to endorse a joint statement, alleging the document showed bias in favor of Pakistan by omitting a reference to a deadly terrorist attack on Indian tourists in April.
According to a senior official familiar with the matter, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh strongly objected to the proposed statement, arguing it failed to reflect India’s core concerns on terrorism and regional security. The statement, backed by China, did not mention the April 22 attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 Hindu tourists, an incident India has blamed on Pakistan-based militants.
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In contrast, the document made mention of militant activity in Balochistan, aligning with Pakistan’s narrative, the source said. Pakistan has long accused India of supporting separatists in Balochistan — claims New Delhi has consistently denied.
India Calls Out Cross-Border Terrorism
Speaking at the summit without naming Pakistan, Singh called on SCO members to stand firm against countries that use “cross-border terrorism as an instrument of policy” and “provide shelter to terrorists.”
“Peace and prosperity cannot co-exist with terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in the hands of non-state actors and terror groups,” Singh stated, as per a defence ministry release. “Dealing with these challenges requires decisive action.”
India’s refusal to sign the document marks a significant moment of diplomatic friction within the China-led SCO, a regional bloc comprising China, Russia, India, Pakistan, and Central Asian nations. The group was established to counterbalance Western influence, especially that of the United States, in the region.
April 22 Attack Deepens Tensions
The attack in April, one of the deadliest in recent years, brought India and Pakistan — both nuclear-armed rivals — dangerously close to full-scale conflict, with cross-border shelling reported for several days before a U.S.-brokered ceasefire was reached.
India has maintained that Pakistan continues to harbor and support terror groups operating across the border. Pakistan has denied involvement in the April attack.
China’s Influence Under Scrutiny
India’s rejection of the joint statement is also seen as a blow to China’s ambitions to strengthen the SCO’s political unity. While Russia, embroiled in its war in Ukraine, has taken a backseat, China has increasingly dominated the SCO, leading military exercises and steering its strategic direction.
The SCO defence ministers’ meeting, which included a ceremonial signing of joint declarations, became a flashpoint over differing views on terrorism and geopolitical alignment. India’s stance highlighted ongoing mistrust between regional powers and the challenges the SCO faces in presenting a unified front.
India’s Independent Line
India’s refusal to fall in line with China and Pakistan’s positions at the SCO reflects its increasingly assertive foreign policy, as it balances relations between the East and West. While a member of the SCO, India has also strengthened ties with the U.S., Japan, and Australia through the Quad, seeking to counterbalance China’s growing influence in Asia.
As geopolitical rivalries sharpen, this incident may mark a turning point for India’s engagement in China-led regional forums — signaling that New Delhi will not compromise on national security concerns, even in multilateral settings.
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