Indian Defence Minister Refuses to Sign SCO Statement Over Speaking Turn Dispute

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated that Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh declined to sign the joint communiqué at a high-level Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in China, after being denied a second chance to speak. Asif explained that Singh was upset after not being allowed a second chance to speak as he had addressed the gathering earlier, in line with alphabetical order.

Asif presented Pakistan’s position with facts, including the Jaffar Express attack and the case of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav. India declined to sign the joint declaration, further isolating itself on the international stage. Asif criticized Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies and accused India of promoting terrorism worldwide.

He mentioned Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and terrorism in Balochistan. The joint declaration is not issued if any member country refuses to sign it. National Security Advisor (NSA) Lt Gen Asim Malik attended a meeting of the secretaries of the Security Council of SCO Member States in Beijing, China.

Singh emphasized New Delhi's concerns regarding terrorism at the SCO meeting. Asif pledged Islamabad's commitment to SCO's principles and objectives, stressing the importance of a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. He called for collective efforts against terrorism and condemned terrorist attacks in the region.

Asif urged for peaceful dispute resolution through dialogue and preventive diplomacy. He also engaged in bilateral discussions with counterparts from Tajikistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, and China to enhance security cooperation.