India's recent decision to abstain from endorsing a joint statement at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit underscores ongoing tensions with Pakistan amid critical discussions on regional security.
India Declines to Endorse SCO Joint Statement Over Terrorism Concerns
India Declines to Endorse SCO Joint Statement Over Terrorism Concerns
India's Foreign Ministry cites omission of key issues related to terrorism as reason for refusal.
India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently attended the SCO meeting in China but chose not to sign a joint statement due to its failure to adequately address India's concerns regarding terrorism, as stated by the country's foreign ministry. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal revealed that India found its concerns were dismissed in a manner unacceptable, although he didn’t elaborate on specifics.
Reports from within India suggest that the refusal stemmed from the statement's omission of the Pahalgam attack, a tragic incident that resulted in the loss of 26 lives among tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir. India has consistently accused Pakistan of harboring the militant group responsible for this attack, a claim that Pakistan has vehemently denied.
The SCO, which includes China, Russia, and four Central Asian nations, was established in 2001 as a response to growing Western influence in the region. Both India and Pakistan joined the organization in 2017. The recent meeting was held prior to the leaders' annual summit taking place later in the fall.
Media reports indicate that India perceived the joint statement as biased towards Pakistan, particularly due to its references to militant activities in Balochistan while not mentioning the Pahalgam incident. In response to the summit's outcomes, Singh urged the SCO to hold accountable those responsible for cross-border terrorism, without directly naming Pakistan.
Singh stated, "Some countries use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of policy and provide shelter to terrorists," emphasizing the need for the SCO to adopt a unified stance against such practices. The historical rivalry between India and Pakistan has been exacerbated by reports of militant activities, leading to strained relations over the contentious Kashmir region.
The Pahalgam incident has heightened tensions further, bringing India and Pakistan close to the brink of conflict once more. Following the attack, India executed a series of airstrikes targeting what it termed "terror infrastructure" within Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. These claims were met with strong denials from Pakistan, which eventually led to retaliatory measures, including missile launches into Indian territory.
The escalation of hostilities came to a halt on May 10, after US President Donald Trump intervened, announcing a "full and immediate ceasefire" between the two nations. Despite this, India has repeatedly refused to acknowledge any US mediation in the conflict resolution.
Reports from within India suggest that the refusal stemmed from the statement's omission of the Pahalgam attack, a tragic incident that resulted in the loss of 26 lives among tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir. India has consistently accused Pakistan of harboring the militant group responsible for this attack, a claim that Pakistan has vehemently denied.
The SCO, which includes China, Russia, and four Central Asian nations, was established in 2001 as a response to growing Western influence in the region. Both India and Pakistan joined the organization in 2017. The recent meeting was held prior to the leaders' annual summit taking place later in the fall.
Media reports indicate that India perceived the joint statement as biased towards Pakistan, particularly due to its references to militant activities in Balochistan while not mentioning the Pahalgam incident. In response to the summit's outcomes, Singh urged the SCO to hold accountable those responsible for cross-border terrorism, without directly naming Pakistan.
Singh stated, "Some countries use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of policy and provide shelter to terrorists," emphasizing the need for the SCO to adopt a unified stance against such practices. The historical rivalry between India and Pakistan has been exacerbated by reports of militant activities, leading to strained relations over the contentious Kashmir region.
The Pahalgam incident has heightened tensions further, bringing India and Pakistan close to the brink of conflict once more. Following the attack, India executed a series of airstrikes targeting what it termed "terror infrastructure" within Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. These claims were met with strong denials from Pakistan, which eventually led to retaliatory measures, including missile launches into Indian territory.
The escalation of hostilities came to a halt on May 10, after US President Donald Trump intervened, announcing a "full and immediate ceasefire" between the two nations. Despite this, India has repeatedly refused to acknowledge any US mediation in the conflict resolution.
