Rajnath Singh at SCO meet sparks row over Pakistan remarks
Rajnath Singh at SCO meet sparks row over Pakistan remarks
At the Bishkek SCO gathering, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh calls for united action against terrorism, while Congress accuses him of giving Pakistan a 'clean chit' and labels the move an 'anti-national' shift.
At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Defence Ministers' meeting in Bishkek, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh urged a unified approach to counter terrorism, insisting that terrorism cannot be justified under any circumstances and has no nationality or theology. The remarks underscore India’s push for stronger regional coordination on security and regional threat perceptions.
The session and surrounding discussions come as domestic politics intensifies around the interpretation of Singh’s comments. Congress leaders accused him of providing a "shameful clean chit" to Pakistan during the SCO engagement, saying the minister's words amounted to an "anti-national" stance. They framed the perceived shift as part of a broader portrayal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's policy of "appeasement" of the U.S. and what they termed a "calibrated capitulation" to China.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Singh held conversations with China’s defence minister to discuss West Asia developments, signaling ongoing dialogue as both sides seek to manage regional flashpoints. He also conducted talks with his Russian counterpart about bilateral defence cooperation, reflecting India’s aim to sustain multi-vector ties even as it navigates tensions with major powers.
Analysts say the SCO forum provides a platform for India to press a coordinated, collective response to terrorism while balancing its relationships with the U.S., China, and Russia. The unfolding exchanges in Bishkek highlight how India seeks to project firmness on security issues at a time of internal political debate over foreign policy directions.
As the SCO defence ministers’ meeting continues, New Delhi’s emphasis remains on a unified regional stance against violence and a clear message that terrorism in any form is unacceptable, even as bilateral conversations with key partners continue to shape India’s security calculus.
