Rajnath Singh Slams Terrorism at SCO Meet, Hails Op Sindoor as India’s Right to Self-Defence
Qingdao, China | June 26, 2025: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh delivered a powerful address at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting, firmly asserting that “peace and terror cannot co-exist.” Speaking in Qingdao, China, Singh emphasized India’s recent Operation Sindoor as a justified and strategic response to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, particularly following the Pahalgam terror attack that resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians on April 22.
Reiterating India’s zero-tolerance policy on terrorism, Singh stressed that terrorism transcends national borders and must be addressed through decisive global action. He stated, “Those who sponsor, nurture, and utilize terrorism for their narrow and selfish ends must bear the consequences,” indirectly referencing Pakistan without naming the country.
Singh recalled the tragic Pahalgam attack and noted that the modus operandi matched patterns used by Lashkar-e-Taiba, which operates with impunity from across the border. In retaliation and as a pre-emptive defense measure, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, targeting and dismantling cross-border terror infrastructure.
“Operation Sindoor was not just a response — it was a necessary act of self-defense,” Singh remarked, urging SCO nations to unequivocally condemn terrorism and abandon double standards on the issue. He warned that the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) in the hands of non-state actors could destabilize global peace.
Singh also discussed the importance of connectivity with Central Asia, stating that mutual trade fosters trust and stability. However, he emphasized that any initiative must respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all SCO member nations — a veiled comment regarding regional disputes.
Addressing the situation in Afghanistan, Singh reiterated India’s commitment to providing humanitarian assistance and establishing long-term developmental partnerships. “India, as Afghanistan’s largest regional development partner, remains focused on building capacity and supporting the Afghan people,” he noted.
The SCO meeting saw participation from the defence ministers of India, China, Russia, and Central Asian countries. Singh was welcomed by Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun. Notably, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khwaja Asif was also present at the summit, which took place from June 25 to June 26.
India’s strong messaging at the SCO underscores its growing role in regional and global security and reaffirms its commitment to combating terrorism, promoting peace, and upholding international law.
Source: Firstpost
