“Hold Perpetrators of Terror Acts Accountable”: Rajnath Singh’s Stance at SCO Summit

“Hold Perpetrators of Terror Acts Accountable”: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday participated in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao, becoming the first senior Indian minister to visit China since the violent standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) began in May 2020. His presence marks a significant step in cautious diplomatic re-engagement between India and China after years of limited contact.

"We have shown that epicentres of terrorism are no longer safe and we will not hesitate to target them," Singh said.

“The biggest challenges in our region are related to peace, security and trust deficit,” Singh stated during his address. “India believes that reformed multilateralism can help build cooperation to prevent conflict between countries by creating mechanisms for dialogue and collaboration. No country, however large and powerful, can manage alone.”

Also Read: Cargo Ship Carrying 3,000 Vehicles Sinks in Pacific After Fire

Singh emphasised that the root of these issues lies in the growing threat of radicalisation, extremism, and terrorism. “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 said. “Dealing with these challenges requires decisive action and we must unite in our fight against these evils for our collective safety and security.”

Mr Singh's comments came weeks after the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22. The attack, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, including a Nepali national and a local pony handler, has been attributed to The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy group of the UN-designated terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). According to Mr Singh, the victims were profiled and killed based on their religious identity.

Also Read: Jaideep Ahlawat Says Ranbir Kapoor May Not Reach Shah Rukh Khan’s Heights: ‘Sirf Talent Ke Naam Pe…’

"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 civilians, including a Nepali national, were killed. Victims were shot at after they were profiled based on their religious identity. The Resistance Front, which is a proxy of UN UN-designated terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the attack," Mr SIngh said.

The two-day SCO Defence Ministers' meeting, scheduled for June 25-26, is being hosted by China in the eastern city of Qingdao. The event brought together defence ministers and senior officials from SCO's ten full member states: India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and new entrant Belarus. The meeting is held under the 2025 Chinese Chairmanship, with the theme "Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move."

"We reiterate the need to hold the perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of reprehensible acts of terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, accountable and bring them to justice," the Defence Minister added.

Also Read: CBSE to Conduct Class 10 Board Exams Twice a Year from 2026: New Norms Approved