‘Support Terror, Face Consequences’: Rajnath Singh’s Hard-Hitting Message

At SCO Meet, Rajnath Singh Warns Against Double Standards on Terrorism.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh issued a strong call for collective action against terrorism at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting held in Qingdao, China, on Thursday. Singh underscored that lasting peace and regional prosperity are impossible unless terrorism is rooted out and those enabling it are held accountable.

“Peace and prosperity cannot co-exist with terrorism and the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) in the hands of non-state actors and terror groups,” Singh said in his address. “Decisive action and unified resolve are essential to confront these threats.”

Singh’s remarks were delivered in the presence of his counterparts from SCO member states, including Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun, who welcomed him to the summit.

‘No Place for Double Standards’
Without naming any country directly, Singh made a veiled reference to Pakistan, warning against the policy of using terrorism as a strategic tool.

“Some countries continue to use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of state policy, while offering shelter and support to terrorist groups. There should be no place for such double standards. SCO must not shy away from calling out these actors,” he said.

India’s Response: Operation Sindoor
Singh also spoke about the recent Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which Indian agencies have linked to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). He highlighted India’s swift response through Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7.

“The Pahalgam attack followed a familiar pattern used by LeT. Exercising its right to self-defence, India launched Operation Sindoor to dismantle terrorist infrastructure across the border,” Singh said, referencing targeted strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

He reiterated that India would continue to defend itself against cross-border threats and called for stronger cooperation among SCO members to combat terrorism in all its forms.

Singh’s address reflects India’s firm stance on national security and its growing emphasis on counter-terrorism diplomacy, particularly in multilateral platforms like the SCO.