India Refuses to Sign SCO Declaration Over Omission of Pahalgam Terror Attack

Qingdao/Hyderabad, June 26 (Maxim News): In a strong diplomatic move, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has declined to sign the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) joint declaration, citing the exclusion of the Pahalgam terror attack from the final document. The high-level defence ministers’ meet is currently underway in Qingdao, China.

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India’s objection centers around the fact that while the SCO declaration condemned incidents like the Balochistan terror attack and the March hijacking of the Zafar Express, it failed to mention the recent deadly attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, which India attributes to Pakistan-backed terror outfits.

India’s Firm Stand on Terrorism Ignored

Despite extensive discussions on terrorism during the summit, India’s demand to include the Pahalgam incident in the declaration was reportedly ignored. Defence Minister Singh conveyed that India cannot endorse a declaration that overlooks major acts of cross-border terrorism, especially when it involves the loss of Indian lives and national security.

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“India’s position on terrorism is consistent and clear — we believe in zero tolerance. Ignoring such a serious act of terror does not align with the principles of cooperation and collective security,” Singh reportedly told delegates during the closed-door sessions.

India’s Objection Halts Final Consensus

Following India’s objection, the finalization of the SCO declaration was put on hold, indicating a rare divergence among member states. India maintains that such declarations must reflect the real and recent threats faced by member countries.

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This development comes in the backdrop of heightened Indo-Pak tensions after the Pahalgam attack, and India’s subsequent airstrikes under Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK.

A Message to the Global Community

By refusing to sign the declaration, India has sent a clear message to the international community and SCO members about its uncompromising stance on global counterterrorism efforts.

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The Defence Minister is also expected to raise the issue in bilateral meetings with counterparts from Russia, China, and other participating countries, emphasizing the need for balanced and inclusive counter-terror narratives.

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