India Refuses to Sign SCO Document Without Mention of Terrorism: Jaishankar Backs Rajnath Singh

External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar has backed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s strong stand at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting, where Singh refused to sign the joint communique due to the omission of terrorism references.

Speaking at a press conference, Jaishankar emphasized that terrorism is central to SCO’s mission. “If a grouping like the SCO, formed to counter terrorism, cannot include even a reference to it, then there’s no point in signing the document,” he said. Taking a veiled swipe at Pakistan, he added, “One country objected to the mention of terrorism. You can guess which.”

Rajnath Singh’s decision came after the communique omitted mention of the recent Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people, and failed to address India’s concerns regarding Pakistan-backed cross-border terrorism.

Sources claim China, holding the SCO chair, along with Pakistan, pushed to downplay terrorism, while the document controversially included a reference to Balochistan — an indirect accusation against India.

At the meeting, Singh stated that countries using terrorism as state policy must face consequences. He urged the SCO to reject double standards and unite against radicalisation, extremism, and terror groups possessing weapons of mass destruction.

India remains committed to peace and regional security but reaffirmed that it will not compromise on its principled stand against terrorism in any multilateral platform.