India refused to sign the SCO joint statement in China on June 26, 2025, due to its failure to address the Pahalgam terror attack, highlighting its firm stance against terrorism. Read more at TheInterviewTimes.com.
India declined to sign the joint statement at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Defence Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao, China, due to its failure to address concerns about terrorism, particularly the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that claimed 26 lives. The decision, announced by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), prevented the issuance of a unified SCO communique, underscoring India’s firm stance on combating terrorism.
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Official Statement and Context
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, comprising 10 member states including India, China, Russia, and Pakistan, held its Defence Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao, concluding on June 26, 2025. According to an official statement from the MEA’s X account (@MEAIndia), India’s refusal stemmed from the joint statement’s omission of critical references to terrorism, specifically the Pahalgam attack.
“India could not support the SCO joint statement as it did not reflect our concerns on terrorism, including the recent attack in Pahalgam. Consensus was not possible due to objections by one member state,” the MEA posted.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, representing India, emphasized the need for a united front against terrorism. A post from the Ministry of Defence’s X account (@DefenceMinIndia) stated, “At Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, RM Shri Rajnath Singh reiterated India’s zero-tolerance policy on terrorism, urging all members to take decisive action against perpetrators and sponsors of cross-border terror.” The post highlighted Singh’s call for accountability, particularly for attacks like Pahalgam, which India attributes to cross-border terrorism.
Reason for India’s Stance
The MEA’s statement on X indicated that the draft joint statement failed to include references to the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people, mostly Hindu tourists. India’s push for explicit condemnation of this incident was blocked by “one member state,” widely understood to be Pakistan, leading to India’s decision to abstain. The absence of consensus resulted in the SCO’s failure to adopt a joint communique, a rare occurrence for the organization.
Implications
India’s refusal, as articulated by official government X accounts, reflects its unwavering commitment to prioritizing national security and combating terrorism. The MEA’s post emphasized, “India will not endorse statements that dilute the fight against terrorism or ignore specific acts of terror like Pahalgam.” This stance aligns with India’s broader foreign policy of asserting strategic autonomy in multilateral forums, particularly when addressing security concerns.
The lack of a joint statement highlights challenges within the SCO in reconciling differing views on terrorism, especially between India and certain member states. The Ministry of Defence’s X post added, “Shri Rajnath Singh called for stronger SCO cooperation through mechanisms like RATS to counter terrorism and radicalization, building on India’s 2023 SCO chairmanship initiatives.”
Conclusion
India’s decision to abstain from signing the SCO joint statement in Qingdao on June 26, 2025, as confirmed by official government X accounts, underscores its resolute stance against terrorism. By rejecting a statement that excluded the Pahalgam attack, India prioritized its security concerns over diplomatic consensus, sending a clear message to the SCO and the international community.