India has sought to build consensus on dealing with global challenges, Says RM at SCO Meeting
Text of Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh’s National Statement at SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting 2025 in Qingdao, China.
It is my pleasure to be here in Qingdao to participate in the SCO Defence Ministers meeting.
At the outset, I would like to thank our hosts for their warm hospitality. I would also like to congratulate Belarus for joining the SCO family as a new member.
Excellencies, the world we live in is undergoing a drastic transformation. Globalisation, which once brought us closer together, has been losing momentum. The weakening of multilateral systems has made it harder to address urgent challenges, from maintaining peace and security to rebuilding economies after the pandemic. At the same time, competition between major powers is intensifying, with trade and technology being increasingly used as tools in geopolitical rivalries.
India believes that reformed multilateralism can help build cooperation to prevent conflict between countries by creating mechanisms for dialogue and collaboration.
No country, however large and powerful, can manage alone. In fact, the very idea of a global order, or indeed of multilateralism, is the assumption that nations have to work with each other for their mutual and collective benefit. This is also reflective of our age-old Sanskrit saying “Sarve Jana Sukino Bhavantu” which implies peace and prosperity to all.
Excellencies, it is in the context of the current uncertain geopolitical scenarios that the role of SCO becomes very important today. SCO member countries contribute around 30 per cent of the global GDP, while about 40 percent of the world’s population resides in them. We, therefore, have a collective stake to create a safe, secure and stable region that can contribute towards progress and improvement of our peoples’ lives.
I believe that the biggest challenges that we are facing in our region are related to peace, security and trust-deficit. And the root cause of these problems is increasing radicalization, extremism and terrorism.
Excellencies, peace and prosperity cannot co-exist with terrorism and proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) in the hands of non-state actors and terror groups. Dealing with these challenges require decisive action and we must unite in our fight against these evils for our collective safety and security. It is imperative that those who sponsor, nurture and utilize terrorism for their narrow and selfish ends must bear the consequences. Some countries use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of policy and provide shelter to terrorists. There should be no place for such double standards. SCO should not hesitate to criticise such nations.
India’s zero tolerance for terrorism is manifest today through its actions. This includes our right to defend ourselves against terrorism. We have shown that epicentres of terrorism are no longer safe and we will not hesitate to target them.
We should also take proactive steps to prevent the spread of radicalization among our youth. The RATS mechanism of SCO has played a significant role in this regard. The joint statement of the Council of SCO Heads of State on ‘Countering Radicalization leading to Terrorism, Separatism and Extremism’ issued during India’s Chairmanship symbolises our shared commitment.
Excellencies, we should seek to counter the technology used by terrorists including drones for cross-border smuggling of weapons and drugs. In our interconnected world, traditional borders are no longer the sole barriers against threats. Instead, we face an intricate web of challenges that range from transnational terrorism and cyber-attacks to hybrid warfare. These threats do not respect national boundaries, and they demand a unified response rooted in transparency, mutual trust, and collaboration. India reaffirms its resolve to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
On 22 April 2025, the terror group ‘The Resistance Front’ (TRF) carried out a dastardly and heinous attack on innocent tourists at Pahalgam in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. 26 innocent civilans, including a Nepali national, were killed. Victims were shot at after they were profiled based on religious identity. The Resistance Front which is a proxy of UN designated terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) claimed responsibility for the attack. The pattern of Pahalgam terror attack matches with LeT’s previous terror attacks in India. In exercising its right to defend against terrorism and pre-empt as well as deter further cross border terrorist attacks, India on 07th May 2025 successfully launched Op Sindoor to dismantle cross border terrorist infrastructure.
We reiterate the need to hold the perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of reprehensible acts of terrorism, including cross border terrorism accountable and bring them to justice. Any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivation whenever, wherever and by whom-so-ever committed. SCO members must condemn this evil unequivocally.
Excellencies, India is committed to increasing its connectivity with Central Asia. Better connectivity not only enhances mutual trade but also fosters mutual trust. However, in these efforts, it is essential to uphold the basic principles of the SCO charter, particularly respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states.
India has been consistent and steadfast in its policy in support of peace, security and stability in Afghanistan. Our immediate priorities in Afghanistan include providing humanitarian assistance to Afghan people and contributing to Afghanistan’s overall developmental needs. As Afghanistan’s largest regional development partner, India continues to implement capacity-building initiatives for the Afghan people.
Excellencies, the Covid-19 pandemic has laid bare the fact that pandemics recognise no boundaries and that “no one is safe till everyone is safe”. This is a warning sign of how non-traditional security challenges like pandemics, climate change, food and water security, and associated societal disruptions can impact our peoples’ lives.
These emerging challenges cannot be addressed without responsible policies and cooperation among nations. India’s initiative on Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) aims not only at promotion of disaster resilient infrastructure, but also infrastructure risk management, standards, financing and recovery. It is also an example of how countries are coming together to create and share capabilities to deal with humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
We have affirmed this intent through our policy through the acronym “SAGAR” which implies Security and Growth for All in the Region and India’s expanded vision “MAHASAGAR” meaning “Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.” Security and Stability are most essential components to create a conducive environment for growth and economic development of the region.
India has sought to build consensus on dealing with global challenges on the basis of motto One Earth, One Family, One Future, which is founded on our civilizational ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family). Mutual understanding and mutual benefit must be our guiding principles.
Excellencies, India supports greater cooperation and mutual trust among SCO members. We should collectively aspire to fulfil the aspirations and expectations of our people as well as tackle today’s challenges. We must all be in lockstep in our endeavour in strengthening stability and security in our neighbourhood.
Excellencies, I am optimistic that today’s discussions would help us to deepen the understanding of our shared security challenges and explore new areas for future cooperation in the defence and security fields.
Thank you, Jai Hind!
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