India has refused to sign the joint statement at the joint meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) defence ministers in China. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the draft does not reflect concerns about cross-border terrorism, particularly the recent Pahalgam attack.
Why was the joint statement refused to be signed?
Reports suggest that the disagreement stems from the omission of the Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir. India blamed a Pakistan-based terror group for the attack, while Pakistan denied any involvement. The joint statement was seen as “favouring Pakistan” as it mentioned unrest in Balochistan but ignored Pahalgam. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, without naming Pakistan, urged the SCO to take a tough stand against countries that harbour terrorists.
India and Pakistan have been at loggerheads over Kashmir for decades. Tensions escalated after the Pahalgam attack earlier this year, leading to brief hostilities before a ceasefire was called in May.
