• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched a sharp critique of Pakistan at the SCO Defence Ministers' meeting in Qingdao, China, on Thursday, firmly stating that India delivered a resolute response to the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack. He underscored that "some" countries use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of policy and provide shelter to terrorists and added there should be no place for such double standards. Without naming China, an all-weather friend of Pakistan, Singh pressed that SCO members should not hesitate to criticise such nations. Pakistan Defence Minister Asif Khawaja was also present during the meeting when Singh launched a scathing attack.

"On 22 April 2025, the terror group 'The Resistance Front' 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 claimed responsibility for the attack," said Singh.

ALSO READ: SCO Summit: NSA Ajit Doval To Attend Meet In China, Likely To Discuss Cross-Border Terrorism

Epicentres of terrorism are no longer safe: Rajnath Singh

Singh underlined India's zero tolerance for terrorism and added it has already shown 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, " he said. 

Peace and prosperity cannot co-exist with terrorism: Rajnath

He pointed out how the terrorists asked their religious identity before shooting them in broad daylight. Singh cleared India's firm position over terrorism and said, "Peace and prosperity cannot co-exist with terrorism and proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction in the hands of non-state actors and terror groups." He emphasised to deal with evolving challenges related to terrorism, countries must join hands in taking decisive action.

ALSO READ: Pakistan Developing Long-Range Nuclear Ballistic Missile Capable Of Hitting US: Report

"The pattern of the 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 7th May 2025 successfully launched Operation Sindoor to dismantle cross-border terrorist infrastructure," he noted.

Rajnath Singh's stong message to China and Pak

"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," the Indian Defence Minister said in a strong message to China and Pakistan.