Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday used the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) forum in Qingdao, China, to mount a sharp and unambiguous attack on Pakistan, accusing it of sponsoring cross-border terrorism and warning that India's response, exemplified by Operation Sindoor, was both justified and necessary.
In a rare direct rebuke delivered on foreign soil, Singh told fellow Pakistan SCO member states that India’s recent Operation Sindoor was a justified pre-emptive response to Pakistan-backed terror attacks, particularly after the Pahalgam ambush earlier this year.
“Operation Sindoor was a series of pre-emptive strikes, launched on May 7, in a bid to deter further cross-border terrorist attacks and dismantle cross-border terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan,” he said at the Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Qingdao.
The operation was reportedly initiated after intelligence inputs indicated potential follow-up strikes, and Singh underlined that India would not hesitate to act when its security was at stake.
“Some countries use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of policy and provide shelter to terrorists. There should be no place for such double standards. SCO should not hesitate to criticise such nations,” he stated, making a pointed reference to Pakistan, also present at the meet.
Singh’s presence in China marks the first visit by a senior Union Cabinet minister from India since the deadly Galwan clashes in 2020, signalling a cautious step towards re-engagement amid strained ties.
He was received in Qingdao by China’s Defence Minister, Admiral Dong Jun, and stood alongside defence ministers from Pakistan, Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan for the official photograph before the summit began.
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The Defence Minister did not mince words when outlining India’s zero-tolerance approach to terrorism. “We have shown that epicentres of terrorism are no longer safe, and we will not hesitate to target them,” he said, reaffirming India’s intent to strike terror bases beyond its borders.
Drawing attention to the broader threat of radicalisation, Singh emphasised the importance of SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) and India's contributions during its chairmanship.
“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,” he said.
He further warned that terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction by non-state actors remain the most potent threats to peace. “Peace and prosperity cannot co-exist with terrorism and proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) in the hands of non-state actors and 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 noted.
The visit is also being seen as a diplomatic overture towards reopening military communication lines with China, including a possible revival of the India-China military hotline. A bilateral engagement with Admiral Dong Jun was expected on the sidelines.
In a statement ahead of the meeting, the Indian Ministry of Defence noted: “Defence Ministry is expected to highlight India's continued commitment to the principles and mandate of the SCO, outline India's vision towards achieving greater international peace and security, call for joint and consistent efforts to eliminate terrorism and extremism in the region, and stress on the need for greater trade, economic cooperation and connectivity within SCO.”
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