JUNE 26: At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Qingdao, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh delivered a strong and urgent call for unified action against terrorism. Stressing that peace and prosperity cannot coexist with the presence of terrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction in the hands of non-state actors, he urged SCO nations to stand firm against the growing threats of radicalisation and cross-border violence.
Referring to Operation Sindoor, launched after the terror attack in Pahalgam, J&K, the Defence Minister said India acted within its right to self-defence. The attack, carried out by The Resistance Front—a proxy of the UN-designated LeT—targeted civilians based on religious identity. “India has shown that terror epicentres are no longer safe. We will not hesitate to strike when provoked,” he asserted.
Shri Rajnath Singh strongly advocated for holding perpetrators, sponsors, and financiers of terrorism accountable, without exception or justification. He criticised nations using terror as a tool of foreign policy, calling out the double standards that jeopardise global trust.
Highlighting technological misuse by terrorists—such as drones for weapon and drug smuggling—he emphasised the urgency to combat both traditional and non-traditional threats, from hybrid warfare to cyberattacks. He praised SCO’s RATS mechanism for its role in counter-radicalisation and reiterated India’s commitment to youth protection and information sharing.
Speaking on Afghanistan, he reaffirmed India’s support for humanitarian efforts and development initiatives, noting India remains the country’s largest regional development partner.
The Defence Minister also pointed out that multilateral systems are weakening, making it more difficult to tackle global challenges like pandemics, food and water security, and climate change. He showcased India’s efforts such as the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and the broader vision of SAGAR and MAHASAGAR, aiming for security-led development.
Calling for deeper connectivity with Central Asia while respecting sovereignty, Rajnath Singh concluded by reinforcing India’s vision of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’—advocating for cooperation, mutual benefit, and global unity.
 Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Qingdao, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh delivered a strong and){kind=link}