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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday delivered a sharp message on counter-terrorism, warning that epicentres of terror are no longer beyond the reach of “justifiable punishment,” as he addressed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting in Bishkek on Tuesday.
Referring to the anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack, Singh said such incidents resonate far beyond national borders. “This incident shook not just a region but entire humanity,” he noted, calling for a united global response against terrorism, separatism and extremism.
He urged SCO members to dismantle terror safe havens and avoid selective approaches. “State-sponsored cross-border terrorism that violates sovereignty cannot be viewed through double standards,” he said, in remarks seen as directed at Pakistan without naming it.
Linking India’s evolving posture to recent military action, Singh pointed to Operation Sindoor as evidence of a firmer approach. “We have demonstrated that terrorism epicentres are no longer immune to justifiable punishment,” he said, underlining India’s readiness to respond decisively against those who sponsor or shelter terror groups.
Invoking past SCO commitments, including the Tianjin Declaration, the Defence Minister said the grouping must act as a “guardian of international standards” by addressing terrorism without exception.
Singh also flagged wider global instability, noting that the world appears increasingly fragmented and inward-looking. He called for strengthening a rules-based order anchored in mutual respect and cooperation. “We need a global consensus where co-existence, co-habitation and compassion take precedence over chaos, competition and conflict,” he said.
The meeting saw defence ministers from SCO member states deliberate on regional security challenges, including terrorism and radicalisation, and their broader impact on global peace. Members also highlighted the significance of 2026, marking 25 years of the SCO, at a time when geopolitical uncertainty is deepening.
Team BharatShakti
