Qingdao (China) (National Times): In a strong and clear message at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao, India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reiterated India’s zero-tolerance stance on terrorism, urging all SCO member states to unite against the menace and reject double standards in combating terror.
“We have demonstrated that terrorism’s epicentres are no longer safe havens. India will not hesitate to take decisive action against them,” Singh asserted during his address, without naming any country, though the remarks were widely seen as a veiled reference to Pakistan.
Singh joined his counterparts, including Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun, for a group photograph marking the formal engagements of the high-level summit. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif arrived shortly after Singh at the venue.
Welcoming Belarus into the SCO as a new member, the Indian Defence Minister thanked the Chinese hosts for their warm hospitality and said he was honoured to participate in the crucial meeting. Singh also reflected on the changing global landscape and the increasing strain on multilateral institutions.
“We are witnessing a world in flux. Globalisation, once a unifying force, is slowing down. Weakening multilateralism has made it harder to collectively respond to pressing issues such as peace, security, and post-pandemic recovery,” he said.
Singh advocated for “reformed multilateralism”, which he said could serve as a foundation for preventing conflict and fostering cooperation among nations. “No country, however large, can tackle global challenges alone. True multilateralism is built on the idea of working together for mutual benefit,” he noted, referencing the ancient Indian maxim ‘Sarve Jana Sukhino Bhavantu’, meaning may all be happy and peaceful.
In a pointed remark, Singh cautioned against nations that use cross-border terrorism as a policy tool and provide sanctuary to terrorists. “Such duplicity must be condemned. The SCO must not shy away from naming and shaming countries that support terrorism,” he said.
The Defence Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao comes at a time of shifting geopolitical dynamics, and India’s clear stance is being seen as a call for the SCO to evolve into a more assertive and accountable regional security bloc.
