Rajnath Singh at SCO Summit: Zero Tolerance for Terrorism, Urges United Front Against Extremism

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday reaffirmed India’s uncompromising stance on terrorism while addressing the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Qingdao, China. Singh called on all SCO member states to condemn terrorism in all its forms and unite against the rising threats of radicalisation and extremism.

“The most pressing challenges in our region revolve around peace, security, and a growing trust deficit,” Singh said in his address. “India believes reformed multilateralism is essential for building cooperation and preventing conflicts through dialogue and collaboration. No nation, no matter how large or powerful, can address these issues alone.”

Singh stressed that terrorism and the spread of Weapons of Mass Destruction by non-state actors threaten the peace and prosperity of the region. “The root causes of instability today lie in radical ideologies and violent extremism,” he stated. “To counter these evils, we must act decisively and collectively.”

On Pahalgam Attack and Operation Sindoor

Referencing the recent Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed over two dozen civilian lives, Singh reiterated India’s right to self-defence and justified the launch of Operation Sindoor, a military response targeting terror infrastructure across the border.

“The pattern of the Pahalgam attack is consistent with previous assaults carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT),” Singh said. “In response, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, to dismantle cross-border terrorist infrastructure and deter further attacks.”

He further called on SCO nations to hold all those responsible for terrorism accountable. “We must ensure that perpetrators, organisers, financiers, and sponsors of terrorism—especially cross-border terrorism—are brought to justice,” he asserted.

Singh’s remarks at the SCO meeting underscored India’s firm stand against terrorism and its call for regional cooperation to ensure collective security and stability in the face of persistent threats.