Rajnath Singh urges SCO to act against terror safe havens, cites ‘Operation Sindoor’ as message of resolve

Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), April 28. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on April 28 called on member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to adopt a firm and unified approach against terrorism, separatism and extremism, asserting that countries sheltering or supporting terror networks must face consequences without exception.

Addressing the SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Bishkek, Singh said India’s recent counter-terror action, ‘Operation Sindoor’, sent a clear signal that epicentres of terrorism would no longer remain beyond the reach of punitive measures. He stressed that state-sponsored cross-border terrorism threatens national sovereignty and warned against double standards in dealing with the menace.

The Defence Minister underlined that counter-terrorism remains a foundational principle of the SCO’s mandate. Recalling the Tianjin Declaration, he said the grouping had already articulated a collective stand against terrorism, reflecting India’s zero-tolerance approach.

“Terrorism has no nationality or theology. The real test of our credibility lies in consistency,” he said, urging members to deny political or strategic exceptions to any state backing such activities.

Singh highlighted the role of the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure in combating radicalisation and terror financing, and referred to the joint statement issued during India’s chairmanship on countering radicalisation that leads to terrorism, separatism and extremism as evidence of shared commitment.

Amid growing global uncertainties and inward-looking national policies, Singh said the SCO had a critical role in preserving regional and global stability. He argued for strengthening a rules-based international order founded on dignity, dialogue and coexistence rather than conflict and confrontation.

Invoking the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, he said the true measure of power lies in protecting the vulnerable and fostering harmony. He urged member nations to prioritise diplomacy over force and ensure that the region does not descend into cycles of violence.

The Defence Minister reiterated India’s commitment to constructive engagement within the SCO framework and called for deeper trust, equality and mutual respect among member states to make the organisation a pillar of peace.

The meeting also reviewed regional security challenges, the threat of radicalisation, and their broader implications for global stability. SCO members noted the symbolic importance of 2026, which marks 25 years since the organisation’s founding, at a time when its role is seen as increasingly vital amid rising unpredictability in world affairs.