Tensions flared at the high-level Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) defence ministers’ summit in Qingdao, China, after India refused to endorse a joint statement due to the exclusion of the Pahalgam incident where tourists were killed in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). India also objected to the inclusion of references to terrorist activities in Pakistan’s Balochistan region, terming the document imbalanced and politically motivated.

The refusal led the SCO forum to abandon plans for a joint communiqué, marking a rare deadlock in the bloc’s tradition of consensus-based declarations. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized the need for member nations to adopt a principled and unified approach to counterterrorism during his address at the conference.

Singh called out the increasing trust deficit in the region and advocated for reformed multilateralism to foster mechanisms for peaceful dialogue and security cooperation. “Peace, security, and trust remain our region’s most pressing challenges,” he said, underscoring India’s commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms.

Pakistan Urges Against Politicizing Anti-Terror Efforts

Speaking at the same forum, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif reaffirmed Islamabad’s strong commitment to SCO’s charter and objectives. Highlighting the need for collective regional stability, he particularly stressed the importance of a peaceful Afghanistan as critical for South Asia’s sustainable development.

Asif also pointed to unresolved issues such as the Kashmir conflict as ongoing threats to global and regional peace. He urged member countries to avoid politicizing anti-terrorism efforts, advocating instead for joint cooperation free from geopolitical biases.

Meanwhile, National Security Advisor Lt Gen Asim Malik represented Pakistan at the SCO Security Council Secretaries’ meeting in Beijing earlier this week. He echoed Pakistan’s dedication to global peace and enhanced collaboration among SCO nations through multilateral engagement.

As diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan continue to simmer, the SCO defence dialogue spotlighted deep divisions on key security narratives, especially concerning terrorism, regional sovereignty, and bilateral disputes.