Terror hubs no longer immune to action: Rajnath Singh slams Pakistan at SCO meet

At the SCO Defence Ministers' meeting in Kyrgyz capital Bishkek, Rajnath Singh said countries sheltering terror infrastructure cannot expect immunity. He coupled the warning with a call for collective action, dialogue and regional stability.

In Short

• Rajnath Singh warns countries harbouring terrorists of consequences
• Calls for uncompromising stance against terrorism and extremism
• Emphasises dialogue and diplomacy over force for regional peace

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday delivered a sharp message on terrorism at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, asserting that countries sheltering terror infrastructure cannot expect immunity from consequences.

Referring to the April 22 Pahalgam attack, Singh said the incident had “shaken the entire humanity” and underlined India’s resolve to respond decisively. “During Operation Sindoor, we demonstrated that terrorism epicentres are no longer immune to justifiable punishment,” he said, in remarks seen as a direct warning to Pakistan.

Without naming Pakistan explicitly, Singh stressed the need for a consistent and uncompromising approach against terrorism, separatism and extremism.

He recalled the Tianjin Declaration of the SCO, which reaffirmed a collective commitment to counter-terrorism, and said the grouping must act as a “guardian of international standards” by addressing such threats without exception.

“By tackling terrorism we transform regional security from a challenge into a cornerstone for peace and prosperity,” he said.

GLOBAL ORDER, RULES UNDER STRAIN

Placing the issue in a broader global context, Singh said the world is facing “unprecedented crises” marked by frequent conflicts and loss of lives, and called for introspection by security leaders.

He cautioned against attempts to undermine the rules-based international order, arguing that the real crisis lies in the tendency to question established norms rather than the absence of a global framework.

“We need a world where differences do not become disputes and disputes do not precede disasters,” he said, calling for coexistence, compassion and cooperation over conflict.

CALL FOR DIALOGUE, NOT FORCE

At the same time, the Defence Minister emphasised that peace in the region requires dialogue and diplomacy rather than “unrelenting force”.

Highlighting the SCO’s significance as a grouping representing a large share of the global population, Singh said member countries carry a responsibility to ensure stability both regionally and globally.

He also invoked the shared civilisational heritage of SCO nations, describing the region as one where “civilisations criss-cross, communities interact and commerce intertwines with intercultural exchanges”.

BALANCING WARNING WITH DIPLOMACY

While reiterating India’s firm stance against terrorism, Singh coupled the warning with a call for collective action and cooperation among SCO members.

“Our success lies in cooperating with clarity and a single-minded purpose,” he said, urging countries to work together to ensure peace and stability in the region.

The remarks come amid heightened tensions in the region and renewed focus on cross-border terrorism following recent attacks.

- Ends