India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in China, where the country opted not to sign a joint statement issued by the body. India's foreign ministry clarified that the statement failed to address India’s significant concerns related to terrorism, notably the omission of the Pahalgam attack, a tragic incident in which 26 tourists were killed in Indian-administered Kashmir.
Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal indicated that India's insistence on including its concerns was seen as unacceptable by a certain country; Indian media has reported that this likely refers to Pakistan. Following the Pahalgam incident, which India attributes to a Pakistani militant group, tensions have escalated as both countries engaged in a war of allegations.
While the joint statement highlighted militant activities in Balochistan, India viewed its omission of the Pahalgam attack as biased and "pro-Pakistan." In response to the situation, Defence Minister Singh emphasized the need for the SCO to hold countries accountable for cross-border terrorism, without naming Pakistan directly. He remarked on the double standards that exist regarding terrorism and reiterated that the SCO should be forthright in criticising nations that shelter terrorists.
The SCO, which includes China, Russia, and four Central Asian nations, was formed in 2001 to counter Western influence in the region with India and Pakistan joining in 2017. The summit was held ahead of the SCO leaders' summit set for this autumn. Historical grievances, particularly over Kashmir, have long strained relations between India and Pakistan, with recent events intensifying those hostilities. The June ceasefire agreement, mediated by the United States, remains fragile amid the contentious backdrop of cross-border accusations.
Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal indicated that India's insistence on including its concerns was seen as unacceptable by a certain country; Indian media has reported that this likely refers to Pakistan. Following the Pahalgam incident, which India attributes to a Pakistani militant group, tensions have escalated as both countries engaged in a war of allegations.
While the joint statement highlighted militant activities in Balochistan, India viewed its omission of the Pahalgam attack as biased and "pro-Pakistan." In response to the situation, Defence Minister Singh emphasized the need for the SCO to hold countries accountable for cross-border terrorism, without naming Pakistan directly. He remarked on the double standards that exist regarding terrorism and reiterated that the SCO should be forthright in criticising nations that shelter terrorists.
The SCO, which includes China, Russia, and four Central Asian nations, was formed in 2001 to counter Western influence in the region with India and Pakistan joining in 2017. The summit was held ahead of the SCO leaders' summit set for this autumn. Historical grievances, particularly over Kashmir, have long strained relations between India and Pakistan, with recent events intensifying those hostilities. The June ceasefire agreement, mediated by the United States, remains fragile amid the contentious backdrop of cross-border accusations.
