SCO Joint Statement - Rajnath's Signature Missing, Jaishankar's Support: Jaishankar said, "One country wanted terrorism to be excluded from the joint statement, and you can guess who that country is." He emphasized that the SCO was created to fight terrorism.
In an interview with ANI, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar mentioned that one country insisted that terrorism should not be mentioned in the joint statement, which is ironic given that the SCO was created with the purpose of combating terrorism. Jaishankar stressed that this move was not just diplomatic opposition but also a defense of national security and principles. "Terrorism and peace cannot coexist," he stated.
Jaishankar on Emergency: On June 27, Jaishankar spoke at an event organized by BJP's youth wing in Delhi, where he targeted Congress over the Emergency period. He stated, "It all happened because of one family. There's a movie called 'Kissa Kursi Ka' which aptly explains the reason behind the Emergency. When one family is considered above the nation, things like Emergency happen."
SCO Joint Statement Controversy
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) defense ministers' meeting took place on June 26 in Qingdao, China, where India's Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif participated. However, Rajnath Singh refused to meet with the Pakistani Minister and also refused to sign the SCO Joint Statement. The statement excluded the mention of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, but mentioned the terrorist incident in Balochistan, Pakistan. India expressed its displeasure over this discrepancy.
Rajnath Singh, in his speech at the meeting, emphasized, "Some countries consider cross-border terrorism as their policy and provide shelter to terrorists, only to later deny it. There should be no place for such double standards. They must realize that the epicenter of terrorism is no longer safe."
Ministry of External Affairs: "One Country Didn't Agree"
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, during the two-day SCO defense ministers' meeting, the member countries could not agree on a joint statement. As a result, the document could not be finalized. The Ministry stated that India wanted terrorism and related concerns to be explicitly mentioned in the statement, but one specific country disagreed with this. Rajnath Singh urged all 11 countries to unite and fight against terrorism in all its forms and methods.
Rajnath Singh further stated that those who spread terrorism, whether they sponsor, finance, or organize attacks, should be punished and brought to justice.
Rajathan Singh's Address at SCO: 3 Key Points
- Rajnath highlighted that the biggest challenges are related to the lack of peace, security, and trust, primarily caused by the rise of extremism, radicalization, and terrorism.
- India’s zero-tolerance policy against terrorism is evident in its actions, which includes the right to self-defense against terrorism.
- He reiterated India’s long tradition of working together for peace and prosperity, quoting the Sanskrit saying, "Sarve Janah Sukhinah Bhavantu" (May all beings be happy).
What is SCO?
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a regional international organization established in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan joined as members in 2017, and Iran became a member in 2023. The organization aims to enhance security, economic, and political cooperation among its members. It also formulates joint strategies to address issues such as terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, and cybercrime.