Context: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, addressing the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting in Tajikistan, raised the issue of terrorism, including cross-border terrorism originating from Pakistan. This was another significant instance of India raising the issue in a multilateral forum since Operation Sindoor (2025).
- He emphasised that regional cooperation cannot be meaningful if countries adopt a selective approach to terrorism. He called upon SCO members to dismantle the terrorism ecosystem, addressing its sources rather than treating it as an isolated security challenge. The presence of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar added diplomatic significance to the remarks.
- India’s position reflects the view that terrorism, regional peace, economic integration and development are interlinked.
India’s Objections to the SCO Joint Statement
- At the 2025 SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao, China, India refused to endorse the joint statement because the draft failed to adequately address cross-border and Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, including the Pahalgam attack (2025), while referring to militant activities in Balochistan. India argued that such selective treatment undermined the SCO’s credibility.
SCO: Potential and Challenges
- The SCO has the potential to promote regional stability, trade, connectivity and cultural cooperation. However, divergent strategic interests, security priorities and political disagreements among member states restrict its ability to develop a common approach to security threats.
- India does not advocate suspending economic and cultural cooperation until all security disputes are resolved. Instead, it maintains that sustainable economic integration requires a stable security environment.
Link Between Security and Economic Development
- Trade and investment: Predictable borders and the rule of law are essential for investor confidence and uninterrupted trade.
- Connectivity: Transport networks and economic corridors require peaceful conditions, free from violence and disruption.
- Regional integration: Security cooperation is necessary for the smooth movement of goods, capital and people, enabling economic growth and development.
Connectivity Initiatives Linking India and Central Asia
- International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC): A multimodal transport network connecting India with Iran, the Caspian Sea region, Russia and wider Eurasian markets.
- Chabahar Port: Located in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan province on the Gulf of Oman, it provides India with a connectivity route to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan.
- The long-term value of these initiatives depends on respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, alongside secure and reliable transport routes.
Way Forward: Strengthening Regional Counter-Terrorism Cooperation
- The SCO must translate its commitment to combating terrorism into practical cooperation through intelligence-sharing, action against terror financing, disruption of recruitment networks and denial of safe havens to terrorist groups.
- India should maintain its firm opposition to terrorism while taking the lead in building collective regional mechanisms to address common security threats and strengthen economic cooperation.
Important Prelims Facts
- SCO: Established in 2001; its founding members were China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
- Indiaand Pakistan: Became full members in 2017.
- SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS): Based in Tashkent, Uzbekistan; facilitates cooperation against terrorism, separatism and extremism.
- INSTC: A multimodal corridor intended to improve connectivity between India, Iran, Russia and Eurasia.
- Chabahar Port: Located in Iran; strategically important for India’s access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
