India's Rajnath Singh Refuses to Sign SCO Statement Over Pahalgam Omission

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh refused to sign a joint statement at a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meet because it did not mention the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists. The document mentioned Balochistan, implying India's involvement in creating unrest there. Singh stood firm on India's stance on terrorism and Pahalgam, resulting in no joint statement being issued.

India has consistently denied Pakistan's allegations and stressed the importance of holding perpetrators of terrorist acts accountable. Singh condemned terrorism at the SCO meet and highlighted the recent Pahalgam attack carried out by 'The Resistance Front,' a proxy of the UN-designated terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba.

India launched Operation Sindoor to dismantle cross-border terrorist infrastructure following the Pahalgam attack. Singh reaffirmed India's commitment to fighting terrorism and emphasized the need for a unified response to this transnational threat.

The SCO Defence Ministers' Meeting aims to address issues related to regional and international peace and security. The SCO, established in 2001, promotes regional stability through cooperation and dialogue.