At the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in China, India opted not to endorse a joint statement due to concerns it felt were inadequately addressed, particularly regarding terrorism. The rejection stems from the omission of a significant militant attack in Kashmir, which India attributes to Pakistan-supported groups. This development highlights the continuing strain between India and Pakistan over regional security matters.
India Rejects Joint Statement at SCO Summit Over Terrorism Concerns
India Rejects Joint Statement at SCO Summit Over Terrorism Concerns
India's refusal to sign the SCO summit statement emphasizes its ongoing tensions with Pakistan regarding terrorism issues.
India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the SCO meeting, where the decision was articulated by foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. Jaiswal highlighted that it was "not acceptable to one particular country" for India’s concerns to remain unaddressed in the joint statement. Reports suggest that the statement’s omission of the Pahalgam attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir, was a major sticking point for India. The Indian government has consistently accused Pakistan of harboring the militant groups behind such violence, a claim that Pakistan has firmly denied.
The SCO, established in 2001 by China, Russia, and four Central Asian states as a counterbalance to Western influence, expanded to include India and Pakistan in 2017. The recent summit included a signing ceremony but generated controversy due to perceived biases in the joint communiqué. Media sources claim India viewed the statement as “pro-Pakistan,” particularly because it referenced militant activities in Balochistan without acknowledging the Pahalgam incident.
Following the summit, Defence Minister Singh stressed the need for accountability regarding cross-border terrorism. He asserted that some nations utilize cross-border terrorism as a policy tool, advising that such practices should not be tolerated without criticism by the SCO. This exchange echoes historical tensions between India and Pakistan, which have engaged in multiple wars over Kashmir, and follows the heightened military actions of both nations in recent months.
The Pahalgam attack had almost ignited a new conflict between these nuclear-armed neighbors. India responded with airstrikes targeting what it declared was terrorist infrastructure, prompting retaliatory measures from Pakistan. The escalation continued until a ceasefire brokered by the United States was announced in May, though India maintains that it did not seek US intervention.
As the region navigates complex geopolitical dynamics, India's decision to withhold its approval from the SCO statement underscores persistent security and diplomatic challenges in South Asia.
The SCO, established in 2001 by China, Russia, and four Central Asian states as a counterbalance to Western influence, expanded to include India and Pakistan in 2017. The recent summit included a signing ceremony but generated controversy due to perceived biases in the joint communiqué. Media sources claim India viewed the statement as “pro-Pakistan,” particularly because it referenced militant activities in Balochistan without acknowledging the Pahalgam incident.
Following the summit, Defence Minister Singh stressed the need for accountability regarding cross-border terrorism. He asserted that some nations utilize cross-border terrorism as a policy tool, advising that such practices should not be tolerated without criticism by the SCO. This exchange echoes historical tensions between India and Pakistan, which have engaged in multiple wars over Kashmir, and follows the heightened military actions of both nations in recent months.
The Pahalgam attack had almost ignited a new conflict between these nuclear-armed neighbors. India responded with airstrikes targeting what it declared was terrorist infrastructure, prompting retaliatory measures from Pakistan. The escalation continued until a ceasefire brokered by the United States was announced in May, though India maintains that it did not seek US intervention.
As the region navigates complex geopolitical dynamics, India's decision to withhold its approval from the SCO statement underscores persistent security and diplomatic challenges in South Asia.
