New Delhi, June 26, 2025 — India refused to sign the joint defence declaration of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Qingdao, China, citing the deliberate omission of the Pahalgam terror attack while referencing Pakistan’s internal conflict in Balochistan. The move marks a strong diplomatic statement against selective acknowledgment of terrorism.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh represented India at the summit and objected to the exclusion of the April 2025 Pahalgam attack, where 26 Indian soldiers lost their lives. In contrast, the draft declaration explicitly mentioned militant activity in Pakistan’s Balochistan region, including the March hijacking of the Jaffar Express train.
Calling it a case of double standards, Singh urged SCO member nations to adopt an uncompromising stance on terrorism. “If terrorism in one country is highlighted and that in another is ignored, it shows selective morality,” Singh noted, emphasizing the need for consistency in global anti-terror measures.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs later confirmed that India’s recommendation to include the Pahalgam incident was blocked by one member country—widely understood to be Pakistan, reportedly with China’s support. Without consensus on this issue, the declaration was not adopted.
India’s refusal underscores its firm stance on cross-border terrorism and its insistence on equitable global treatment of such incidents. The decision also reflects underlying tensions within the SCO, particularly between India, Pakistan, and China, as the bloc attempts to project unity in regional security.
