- Rajnath Singh criticized terrorism at SCO meeting.
- Warned against "double standards" in tackling terrorism.
- Emphasized dismantling terror financing and safe havens.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday didn't mince his words to criticise terrorism in the presence of Pakistan Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, while calling out a 'double standard' in tackling it.
Speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)'s Council of Heads of Government meeting in Tajikistan's Dushanbe, Singh called terrorism 'one of the gravest threats to development.' He warned that it not only harms lives but also radicalises society and hurts investment and commerce.
"Terrorism radicalises societies and keeps our youth devoid of opportunities that they deserve," Singh said.
Dar and Singh were seated at the same table during the meeting. India has raised the issue of terrorism to push for a unified struggle against it. Earlier in September, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also emphasised a need for SCO member countries to work together to dismantle the 'ecosystem of terrorism.'
In a summit meeting of the organisation in China's Shanghai, PM Modi had said, "We must dismantle the entire ecosystem of terrorist financing, recruitment, radicalisation and safe havens."
The 26th Summit was attended by Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iran's Masoud Pezeshkian, among other heads of state.
Rajnath doubled down on PM Modi's assertion for the collective dismantling of the entire ecosystem that supports terrorist activities, including those who finance, assist or provide safe havens to terrorists.
Rajnath Singh on SCO economic cooperation
Speaking about economic cooperation, Rajnath reassured New Delhi's support for the Action Plan for 2026-30 for implementing the Programme of Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation.
"Faster customs clearance, mutual recognition of standards, reliable payment systems and predictable freight movement are important. India is ready to share its experience in these areas," the Defence Minister said.