New Delhi: India asserted that terror epicentres can no longer remain immune from response, as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Tuesday.
Referring to Operation Sindoor, Singh conveyed that it reflected India’s firm resolve to respond to terrorism and stressed the need for a unified approach against terrorism, separatism, and extremism. He emphasised that safe havens must be dismantled and that no political exceptions should be allowed.
He also underlined that state-sponsored cross-border terrorism targeting national sovereignty must be addressed without double standards, according to an official statement.
The minister urged SCO members to take appropriate action against entities and nations that support or shelter terrorists. He indicated that eliminating terrorism, separatism, and extremism without exception could transform regional security into a foundation for peace and prosperity.
Describing counter-terrorism as a core principle of the SCO, Singh noted that the organisation has consistently condemned such acts. Rajnath referred to the Tianjin Declaration of the previous year as a reflection of India’s zero-tolerance stance and stressed that the credibility of collective efforts depends on consistent action.
He reiterated that terrorism cannot be linked to any nationality or religion and called for a united global stand.
Highlighting institutional efforts, Singh pointed to the role of the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure and said that the joint statement issued during India’s chairmanship on countering radicalisation demonstrated shared commitment among member states.
He further observed that in the current global environment marked by uncertainty and fragmentation, the SCO has an important role to play as nations increasingly turn inward. Singh argued for a more orderly global framework based on dignity, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence, warning against tendencies that challenge established rule-based systems.
The minister added that ensuring regional and global peace remains a collective responsibility of SCO members. He stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy over the use of force and cautioned against allowing the present era to descend into conflict. Recalling the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi, Singh underscored the importance of compassion, restraint, and responsibility in the exercise of power, particularly in protecting the vulnerable.
