India refuses to sign SCO joint statement as China, Pakistan avoid hard line on terror

At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao, India declined to sign a joint statement over diluted language on terrorism. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called out Pakistan-backed groups for the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians and defended India’s military response—Operation Sindoor. His remarks underscored India’s firm anti-terror stance, demand for action from SCO, and commitment to strategic autonomy. Singh also met his Chinese counterpart, marking the first such dialogue since the 2020 Galwan clash.