Rajnath Singh in China warns Pakistan on sponsoring terrorism, says ‘Operation Sindoor was our…’, refuses to sign document which…
Taking a swipe at Pakistan, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said some countries are using cross-border terrorism as an “instrument of policy” to provide shelter to terrorists. He also added that there should be “no double” standards in combating the menace and that the perpetrators, financiers and sponsors of terrorism must be held accountable. He also reiterated that India is following a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism, he said.
Rajnath Singh, who attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Singh said, “The biggest challenges that we are facing in our region are related to peace, security and trust-deficit. And the root cause of these problems is increasing radicalisation, extremism and terrorism.”
The defence minister arrived in this Chinese port city on Wednesday to attend the SCO Defence Ministers’ Conclave.
Rajnath refuses to sign document
Rajnath Singh also has refused to sign a joint statement at a SCO meet because it did not mention the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 innocent lives and did not reflect India’s strong position on terror. While skipping any mention of Pahalgam, the document mentioned Balochistan, tacitly accusing India of creating unrest there. Pahalgam’s exclusion from the document appears to have been done at Pakistan’s behest as its all-weather ally, China, holds the Chair now.
‘Peace and prosperity cannot co-exist’
Singh said peace and prosperity cannot co-exist with terrorism and proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) in the hands of non-state actors and terror groups.
“Dealing with these challenges requires decisive action, and we must unite in our fight against these evils for our collective safety and security,” he said.
Direct threat to Pakistan
The defence minister said those who sponsor, nurture and utilise terrorism for their narrow and selfish ends must bear the consequences.
There should be no place for double standards in combating terrorism, he said, adding the SCO should not hesitate to criticise nations indulging in double standards in combating the menace.
Singh also said the pattern of the Pahalgam terror attack matched with Lashkar-e-Taiba’s previous terror attacks in India. “The pattern of Pahalgam terror attack matches with LeT’s previous terror attacks in India. In exercising its right to defend against terrorism and pre-empt as well as deter further cross border terrorist attacks, India on 07th May 2025 successfully launched Op Sindoor to dismantle cross border terrorist infrastructure.”
The defence minister also noted that India has been consistent and steadfast in its policy in support of peace, security and stability in Afghanistan.
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