At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' Meeting in Qingdao, China, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh delivered a strong message emphasizing that peace and prosperity cannot coexist with terrorism. Singh's address underscored India's unwavering stance against terrorism and its commitment to regional stability. He urged SCO member nations to unite in combating extremism and called for a zero-tolerance approach towards all forms of terrorism.
Singh highlighted the significant challenges confronting the region, identifying peace, security, and a growing trust deficit as primary concerns. He asserted that the root cause of these problems lies in escalating radicalization, extremism, and terrorism. Singh was firm in stating that peace and prosperity are unattainable in an environment plagued by terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, especially when these fall into the hands of non-state actors and terror groups. He stressed the need for decisive action and collective efforts to counter these threats for the safety and security of all nations.
In a veiled but clear reference to Pakistan, Singh criticized countries that utilize cross-border terrorism as a tool of state policy and provide safe havens to terrorists. He argued that there should be no room for double standards in addressing terrorism and urged the SCO to openly condemn such nations. Singh's remarks reflect India's long-standing অভিযোগ that Pakistan has been a breeding ground for terrorist activities.
Singh reiterated India's belief in reformed multilateralism as a means to foster cooperation and prevent conflicts between countries through dialogue and collaboration mechanisms. He emphasized that no nation, regardless of its size or power, can tackle these challenges alone. The Defence Minister highlighted the importance of nations working together for their mutual and collective benefit.
Speaking about specific instances of terrorism, Singh mentioned "Operation Sindoor" and the Pahalgam terror attack, asserting India's right to defend itself and punish the perpetrators of such acts. He stated that the pattern of the Pahalgam terror attack aligns with previous attacks carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in India. Singh defended India's actions in launching Operation Sindoor to dismantle cross-border terrorist infrastructure, emphasizing the need to deter further attacks.
Singh's address also touched upon the weakening of multilateral systems, which he noted has made it more difficult to address urgent global challenges, ranging from maintaining peace and security to rebuilding economies after the pandemic. He advocated for enhanced defence cooperation, connectivity, and trust among SCO nations as crucial steps towards regional stability.
