At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Qingdao, China, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh delivered a strong message against cross-border terrorism. Without naming Pakistan directly, Singh criticized nations that use terrorism as a tool of state policy and provide safe havens for terrorists.
“There should be no place for such double standards,” Singh said, urging SCO members to take a firm stance against such practices. He emphasized India’s zero-tolerance approach to terrorism, highlighting the country’s right to self-defence and its readiness to strike at terror epicentres.
Singh also stressed the importance of preventing youth radicalization and praised the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) for its role in countering extremism. He cited the joint statement issued during India’s SCO Chairmanship on combating radicalization as a symbol of shared commitment among member states.
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